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Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection

Overview

Open all pages about Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection

Common symptoms of a C. diff infection include diarrhoea, a high temperature, loss of appetite, feeling sick and a stomach ache.

You can get a C. diff infection if the balance of bacteria in your bowel changes. This often happens after taking antibiotics.

Treatments for C. diff include stopping the antibiotics that are causing it, taking a new type of antibiotic and drinking water to avoid dehydration.

Things you can do to prevent spreading a C. diff infection include cleaning the toilet after each use and washing your hands with soap and water.

Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff, are bacteria that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. It’s usually treated with antibiotics.

Page last reviewed: 08/02/2022
Next review due: 08/02/2025