Germs in hospitals, especially Clostridium difficile (C.diff), infect not only patients but those visiting them as well. It can be avoided with a few precautions.
C. difficile Defined
C. difficile disease infections are caused by a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis and sepsis.
Controlling the Spread of Germs
Routine cleaning is not enough to keep the germs under control. To kill C. diff, bleach has to be used; otherwise as much as 78 percent of surfaces will remain contaminated. Not all hospital personnel are trained to follow directions that will keep the bacteria under control. While some hospitals use alcohol to sanitize employees' hands, only soap and water will kill the bug. Precautions to take are:
- Washing hands with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and before eating.
- Clean surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas on a regular basis with household bleach.
Protecting the Patient and Visitor
As a patient, make sure everyone on the medical team first washes their hands with soap and water. Before eating and touching the face or lips, hands should be washed. Food should be kept on the serving plate, using the utensils that came with it. Bring wipes containing bleach to the hospital to wipe down everything within the reach of hands. When leaving the hospital, do not mix clothing worn in with the family wash; wash them with bleach so not to spread the germs in the household. Regular laundry detergents are not strong enough to kill C.diff.
As a visitor, avoid the cafeteria or restaurant where the staff visit while in their uniforms. The germ can be picked up just by sitting in a booth where someone has been wearing his scrubs that may be covered with the superbug.
People who are in good health usually don't get C. difficile disease; however those who have other illnesses or conditions, especially the elderly or children, are at greater risk. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists the symptoms of C difficle disease as:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and tenderness
- Watery diarrhea
If the disease is suspected, a health practitioner should be consulted.
Treatment for C. difficile
C. difficile disease is generally treated for 10 days with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider.These are usually effective and appear to have few side-effects.
Hospital borne infections, such as C. difficile, can be avoided by paying attention to surfaces that contain contamination and practicing good hygiene habits as simple as washing hands.
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