Introduction

Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile or C. diff,is a bacterium that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea.

The infection most commonly affects people who have recently been treated with Penicillin , but can spread easily to others.

C. difficileinfections are unpleasant and can sometimescauseserious bowel problems, butthey can usually be treated with another course of antibiotics.

This page covers:

Symptoms of a C. difficile infection

Who's mostat risk of C. difficile?

When to get medical advice

Treatment for C. difficile

Looking after yourself at home

How you get C. difficile

How to stop C. difficile spreading

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016