It is often present in the bowel of both children and adults, but does not usually cause problems in healthy people, as it is controlled by other types of natural bacteria. Our clinical & medical negligence solicitors offer a free consultation for victims of clinical negligence and medical negligence.
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When people have been in hospital, are unwell and/or have received antibiotics, the medication can destroy your natural bacteria, giving C.Difficile the opportunity to multiply. If this happens, toxins can be produced that cause symptoms of infection, such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- High temperature
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Blood in your stools
If you have been in hospital and/or treated with antibiotics recently and you are suffering with the symptoms of Clostridium.Difficile, your doctor may ask for a stool sample and may give you a blood test. It could transpire that you require a different antibiotic to the one you have been taking.
If you are suffering with C.Difficile, it is very important that you are diagnosed and receive treatment as soon as possible. The bacteria can spread very easily through spores, which are resistant to conditions outside the body and survive for weeks or months on objects and surfaces, such as bedclothes, toilets, skin and clothing. These spores can be spread on the hands of healthcare staff and other people who come into contact with the contamination.
Clostridium.Difficile spores can be destroyed by very thorough cleaning, but infected people should have their own room and toilet facilities when in a healthcare environment such as a hospital or a care home. This is necessary to prevent an outbreak of the infection.
Left untreated
Left untreated C.Difficile can lead to complications. Frequent diarrhoea can quickly bring about dehydration and eventually acute kidney failure and if the infection is severe, your bowel may become very inflamed, at which point there is a risk of perforation. This could lead to peritonitis, a medical emergency that requires immediate and urgent attention.
Clostridium Difficile must be diagnosed and treated quickly to prevent complications developing and the spread of the infection. It mainly affects people who are already unwell and the elderly and it is, therefore, very important that symptoms are recognised at an early stage and appropriate medication provided.
If a hospital or care home has not followed its infection control policies and this has resulted in you contracting C.Difficile, the organisation may be responsible for any injuries or complications you suffer as a result. If you have been infected, please contact Taylor Emmet – we would be happy to discuss your treatment in absolute confidence.
If you have suffered any of the following as a result of C.Difficile, you could claim compensation:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Medical and nursing care costs – even if this has been provided by members of your family
- Loss of earnings
- The cost of painkillers
- Travel expenses
- Any other costs you have incurred as a result of your injury
