“Though bleach can be highly corrosive to surfaces, it is effective against C. diff and our goal is to help save people's lives.” As an alternative to bleach, some facilities are experiencing success in the fight against C. diff by using accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) products.
An EPA-approved disinfectant (EPA: LIST K: EPA's Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective against Clostridium difficile Spores) or 1:10 dilution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) and water freshly mixed daily should be used to disinfect the rooms of those residents with symptomatic (e.g., diarrhea) ...
Initial Cleaning
The first step in cleaning a house after a C. diff infection is to remove as much contamination as possible using regular cleaning methods. This means thoroughly cleaning all surfaces with a general cleaner to remove dirt and organic material, which can harbor spores.
Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for severe or complicated CDI, with or without other adjunctive therapies. Metronidazole is appropriate for mild disease. Fidaxomicin is a therapeutic option for those with recurrent CDI or a high risk of recurrence.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are highly effective against non–spore-forming organisms, but they do not kill C. difficile spores or remove C.
Probiotics, which are live bacteria, such as lactobacilli can also be used to treat C. difficile by restoring balance to the intestinal flora [11, 43]. Probiotics also help limit the growth and toxicity of harmful bacteria like C. difficile by competing for nutrients [11].
Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.
Illness from C. difficile often occurs after using antibiotic medicines. It mostly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care settings. People not in care settings or hospitals also can get C. difficile infection.
If a doctor diagnoses a C. diff infection, they will start treatment immediately. Dietary changes can be an essential part of treatment and allow the colon to rest and heal. Doctors may encourage a person to stay hydrated and eat probiotics and foods high in fiber to manage infection symptoms, such as diarrhea.
Patients with a diagnosed C. diff infection should not share a room with someone who does not have the infection. If you do share a room and your roommate contracts C. diff, ask to be moved.
C. diff spores can linger for a very long time. In fact, they have been shown to survive on hard surfaces for up to five months.
If your C. diff infection is severe, you could get severe intestinal inflammation. Your colon could also get enlarged and you could develop an extreme response called sepsis. All of these problems are serious and could send you to the hospital.
The bathroom is a common reservoir of C. difficile spores. Spray or wipe down all surfaces with Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Cleaner Bottle or Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes. Be sure to wash down sinks and the interior (bowel) and exterior.
The two most common drugs used to treat C. difficile are metronidazole (500 mg PO TID) and vancomycin (125 mg PO QID) for 10–14 days.
Clostridium difficile spores are able to survive laundering through a commercial washer extractor and may be contributing to sporadic outbreaks of CDI. Further research to establish exposure of laundry workers, patients, and the hospital environment to C.
Semi-solid foods – Starchy soft foods, such as saltine crackers, toast, eggs or rice, can be gradually added to the diet as diarrhea symptoms pass.
Given the ability of vitamin D to fortify the gut microbiome and ward off C diff infection, clinicians treating patients hospitalized with thisinfection may want to consider supplementing those lacking in this vitamin in order to minimize their chance of experiencing recurrent C diff infection.
Precautions are no longer needed once the diarrhea has stopped for at least 48 -72 hours and your bowel movements are normal. If the diarrhea comes back, please tell your doctor, as C. diff may stay in your bowel.
Many people notice a distinctive odor with C. diff diarrhea. They describe it as unusually strong and oddly sweet. This smell may be because C. diff increases the levels of bile acids in your poop.
stopping the antibiotics thought to be causing the infection, if possible – in mild cases, this may be the only treatment that's needed. taking a 10 to 14-day course of antibiotics that are known to kill C. difficile bacteria. rarely, serious infections may require surgery to remove a damaged section of the bowel.
A wide variety of probiotics have been tested and used to prevent or treat CDI. The best studied probiotic agents in CDI are Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus GG (LGG) and other lactobacilli, and probiotic mixtures.
Garey reports that approximately 1% of all people over age 80, whether sick or not, will die of a C. diff infection. Overall, Clorox, Cidex OPA, and Virex were most effective at killing C. diff spores.
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of C. diff from person to person. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and laundry, especially if someone is sick in your home already, can reduce your risk of C. diff infection.
C. difficile spores can be shed to the environment by both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients and may survive for up to 5 months on inanimate surfaces (17).