C Diff Transmission – 7 ways you can catch it?

C Diff transmission has a variety of causes. Researchers are still seeking to fully understand how people become c diff carriers as there are many ways it can happen.

C Diff Transmission in Hospital

There is evidence that transmission does take place in hospitals and care facilities. The spores from an active illness enter the environment following diarrhea. There are a variety of ways. Spores can contaminate the bedside area after a diarrhea incident, despite cleaning, and become part of the dust and bacteria found in any environment. The spores are very hardy and need strong detergent, thorough cleaning or specialist cleaning using hydrogen peroxide mist.

There is also a problem even if the patient makes it to the toilet. The lid should be closed or the act of flushing can disperse spores in an aerosol spray on surfaces around the toilet. These can contaminate the hands of other users or nursing staff. Staff can also be temporary carriers via their hands after treating an ill patient.  All of this can result in c diff transmission. Infection then occurs via the oral route as hands become infected with spores and transmit the bacteria to the mouth and then to the intestine.



C Diff Transmission in the community

Recent studies are starting to show however that many people arrive at the hospital as carriers of the infection. Is the infection leaking out from hospitals and turning people into silent carriers with no infection episodes until ill with something else?  This will be true in some cases but there are investigations are under way to clarify whether this is via the food chain or because of the presence of c.difficile in soil and the everyday environment. C.difficile is found in many animals. Many newborns also have c diff as part of their intestinal flora and can be carriers and transmitters.

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Last Updated on December 29, 2023

5 thoughts on “C Diff Transmission – 7 ways you can catch it?”

  1. Never been so ill. Hospital 4 days on antibiotices every 4 hours for 8 days Super cleaning apt with clorocs to kill any spors!
    Take it VERY SERIOUSLY.. IT CAN KILL YOU!!
    Ray

    Reply
  2. The key thing she should know is about her own hand hygiene when using high touch surfaces. C Diff is not thought to be airborne on it’s own and as you will have noted in my other comment is not likely to transmit more than a few feet in a toilet situation when flushed with the lid open.

    Reply
    • When a toilet is flushed with the lid left up then spores and faecal contaminants will travel across to most sinks and sinks usually have toothbrushes and soaps and other objects which are handled and ingested when it comes to toothbrushes etc.

      Reply
  3. I know C-Diff is contracted from surfaces, counter tops, doorhandles, etc. but is C-Diff an airborne disease? When trying to hire a night aide for an elderly person, one needs to be honest about any risks. What should a night aide (any aide) be told about C-Diff?

    Reply

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