What causes C. difficile?
C. difficile can be picked up on the hands from exposure in the environment and can get into the stomach once the mouth is touched, or if food is handled and then swallowed. Once in the stomach, the bacteria usually will not cause any problems unless the other bowel bacteria are disturbed, which can happen when antibiotics are taken. The use of antibiotics increases the chances of developing C. difficile diarrhea as it alters the normal level of good bacteria found in the intestines and colon. What are the symptoms of C. difficile? The usual symptoms are mild but can be severe. Main symptoms are watery diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain/tenderness. In some cases there may not be diarrhea. Blood may or may not be present in the stools.
