Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is one of the bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections : those that can be caught in a hospital environment! In a healthy intestine, this bacteria struggles to establish itself, because the good bacteria in the microbiota take up all the space. But when a sick person takes antibiotics, their microbiota is weakened... and C. difficile takes advantage of this opening! It is a true opportunist, waiting for the right moment to become dangerous.

Once established, C. difficile multiplies and releases toxins that cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and, in severe cases, serious complications. Like its cousins in the genus Clostridium, it produces hyper-resistant spores, capable of surviving for long periods in the environment.

Fortunately, specific antibiotic treatment can usually get rid of it. But be careful: it's important to limit excessive use of antibiotics ! Following medical prescriptions helps avoid disrupting the intestinal microbiota and reduces the risk of relapse.

To prevent infection, it is essential that hospital equipment is properly sterilized and that hands are thoroughly washed : simple but vital actions.

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PUN: It's diffic-ult to get rid of me!