Symptoms of C-diff Include;

• Mild to chronic diarrhoea
• Blood in faeces
• Pyrexia (raised temperature)
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea (Feeling Sick)

{National Health Service direct (2007)}

These symptoms are present due to colitis and occasionally peritonitis and septicaemia (click on the blue links for an explanation of these terms.)

Causes of C-diff;

• Broad spectrum antibiotics which kill off the 'good' bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract
• Cross infection from an infected environment (toilet, commode, bedpan or bed)
• Cross infection from coming into contact with an infected patient
• Cross infection healthcare professionals spreading the disease between patients

{Department of Health (2005), Health Protection Agency (2006) & Gould (2007)}

Cross infection is a greater risk with patients also taking broad spectrum antibiotics.