Infectious Diseases
C. diff Infection
A C. diff infection can make you very sick, but we’re here to provide the care you need. Our team has the skill and experience to treat even the most severe cases.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Sep. 06, 2023.
What Is a C. diff Infection?
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that lives in our environment. This germ usually only makes you sick if you’ve recently taken antibiotics or have a weakened immune system.
C. diff causes almost half a million infections each year in the U.S. alone. These infections can cause severe diarrhea and inflammation of your colon, which can be life-threatening.
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Symptoms of C. diff
C. diff attacks your colon (large intestine), so symptoms are usually related to digestion.
Common Symptoms
People who have a C. diff infection may experience:
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Watery diarrhea three times a day or more
Emergency Symptoms
C. diff infections can quickly become serious, causing life-threatening dehydration or toxic megacolon (severe colon swelling). Seek emergency medical care if you notice:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Confusion or irritability
- Dizziness or fainting
- Extreme thirst
- Rapid heartbeat
- Severe diarrhea that isn’t improving after 24 hours
- Severe headache
- Urinating much less than usual
C. diff Causes and Risk Factors
A C. diff infection happens when the Clostridioides difficile germ gets past your body’s defenses in your colon. You can get sick once the bacteria grows and spreads in your intestines.
There are also certain things that raise your risk of getting a C. diff infection, such as:
Age
People over age 65 get C. diff infections more than younger people.
Antibiotic Use
Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in your body. Without good bacteria, your colon cannot defend itself as easily against C. diff.
Recent C. diff Infection
If you had a C. diff infection in the last eight weeks, you’re more likely to get a repeat infection.
Recent Hospital or Nursing Home Stay
C. diff infections are more common in health care settings like hospitals, extended-care facilities and nursing homes.
Surgery
Having surgery on your intestines increases the risk of getting a C. diff infection.
Weakened Immune System
People who take immune-suppressing drugs or have an immune system condition like HIV are more likely to get C. diff.
Diagnosis of C. diff
If you have diarrhea or other signs of C. diff infection, we take a stool sample to look for the germ. Our team diagnoses the condition based on your symptoms and the stool test results.
Our experts have decades of experience with all types of infections, including the most severe cases. You can be confident you’ll receive a prompt, accurate diagnosis and the support and care you need at every step.
C. diff Treatments
Treating C. diff requires an experienced team to cover all your needs. The Division of Infectious Diseases specialists and primary care providers at UC Davis Health provide the most effective treatments. You receive complete care to help your body heal as quickly as possible.
Antibiotics
Only certain antibiotics are effective against C. diff. Our team prescribes a proven medication to treat the infection.
Intravenous (IV) Fluids
If you are dehydrated or very ill, we may admit you to the hospital for IV fluids and supportive care to help you recover.
C. diff Prevention
C. diff can live on surfaces for months and even years. The germ also spreads easily from person to person through infected feces (stool). You can help prevent C. diff and not spread it to others with a few steps:
Handwashing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before you eat or prepare food.
Clean Surfaces
Use a disinfecting wipe to clean frequently touched surfaces in your home, like doorknobs, keyboards, toilets and sinks.
Use Caution With Soiled Laundry
If someone in your house has C. diff, wash their clothing, linens and towels with the hottest washer and dryer setting.
Shower Regularly
Showering with soap removes germs that could be on your body.
“What is C. Diff?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/what-is.html
Who does it affect?
500KPeople in the U.S. get C. diff infections each year
Each year, about
29KPeople die from C. diff infections in the U.S.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Nearly Half a Million Americans Suffered from Clostridium Difficile Infections in a Single Year
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