So…what’s the deal with C. diff?
Antibiotics increase risk of stomach bug
Antibiotics were once considered “wonder drugs,” and for good reason — they’ve saved countless lives in the past few decades. Some diseases that were once considered deadly are no longer a serious threat.
But in recent years, it’s come to light that antibiotics — like all medications — have risks as well as benefits. One example that just started making the news: Clostridium difficile-associated disease, better known as C. diff or CDAD. You might have heard about it, and you’ll probably be hearing more. Here’s what you need to know:
What is C. diff?
How common is it?
Why is it spreading?
Who is at risk?
How can I protect myself and my family?
How is C. diff treated?
To find out more…
It’s short for Clostridium difficile — a common bacteria that lives in the intestines of many people. (How many is debatable.) Most of these people do not get sick, because the “good” bacteria in the stomach help keep bad germs like C. diff under control.
But if the “good” bacteria can’t keep up, C. diff can build up in your intestines. Then it can cause severe diarrhea and colitis. It can even be life-threatening, especially in elderly people. It can be treated, but it’s hard to get rid of — and recurrence is common.
It’s hard to say, but it was linked to nearly 300,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. in 2005 — and caused more than 5,000 deaths in 2004. Experts say it’s becoming even more common and is now affecting people who have not recently been ill or in a health care facility. And the death rate is also rising.
A number of reasons may be behind the current rise in the number of people getting sick with C. diff. The germ isn’t new, but a fairly new and more serious strain has been identified. It seems to spread more easily, causes more severe symptoms and is harder to treat.
One reason C. diff has become a threat is because of the widespread use — and overuse — of antibiotics. Germs like C. diff can develop resistance to antibiotics. Another example is MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staph. Also, antibiotics can kill the “good” bacteria in our bodies that help keep germs like C. diff in check.
- Most — but not all — of the people who get sick from C. diff have recently taken antibiotics.
- Hospital patients and nursing home residents are at the highest risk, but some cases have no such link.
- Any severe illness could increase your risk.
- People aged 65 or older are more likely to get sick with C. diff, and tend to get sicker with it than healthy younger people.
- People who regularly take antacids or medication for stomach ulcers may be at higher risk.
How can I protect myself and my family?
- Don’t take antibiotics if you don’t need them. Antibiotics only work on bacteria — not on colds and other viruses. And any time you take them when they’re not needed, you could be helping “bad” germs become stronger — and killing the “good” bacteria that help keep them in check.
- If you need antibiotics:
- Take them correctly. Most of the time, antibiotics are safe. If you really need them — after surgery or for a bacterial infection diagnosed by your doctor — take them just like your doctor and pharmacist tell you to. Don’t stop taking them just because you feel better. You may still have some of the “bad” germs in your body. If you stop taking your antibiotics too soon, the germs could grow and get stronger.
- Talk to your doctor about eating yogurt or taking probiotics (available at health food stores). These products could help replace the “good” bacteria that antibiotics can kill. Important: Some antibiotics should not be taken with yogurt or other dairy products, so be sure to talk to your doctor first.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. And teach your kids to do the same. Why do you hear this advice so often? Because no matter what germ you’re trying to avoid, washing your hands can help. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t work very well on C. diff. But good old soap and water washes away all kinds of germs.
- Take special care in a hospital or nursing home. Patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes should wash their hands very often and try to avoid touching surfaces, especially in bathrooms. Patients and their families also should remind health care workers to clean their hands before and after caring for a patient or resident, according to the CDC.
It might seem strange — but most of the time, C. diff is treated with certain antibiotics. It grows in the presence of antibiotics, so it is naturally resistant to many of them. But a few antibiotics, such as metronidazole and vancomycin, will kill C. diff.
Some studies have shown that taking probiotics or eating yogurt can make treatment more effective. But make sure to talk to your doctor before trying this while taking medication.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue.
WebMD - C. diff Epidemic: What You Must Know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: C. Diff feature
Medline Plus: Clostridium Difficile Infections
(A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health)