What increases the risk of getting a Clostridium difficile infection?
The following may increase your risk of getting a C. difficile infection: • Age: In the elderly, the body changes and certain diseases can more easily affect you. Newborn babies also have an increased risk of being infected. • Antacids: These medicines decrease the stomach acid that can kill harmful bacteria. • Antibiotics: Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria, including the good ones. Taking them often may upset the balance between the good and bad bacteria in the colon. • Dormant infection: The C. difficile bacteria, from a previous infection, may still be in your system and may cause another infection. • Hospital stay: Staying in the hospital too long or sharing a room with a C. difficile infected patient increases your risk. • Nasogastric tube: This tube is also called an NG tube or NGT. It is put into your nose and down your stomach to feed you or keep your stomach empty. Having an NGT may promote a C. difficile infection. • Weak immune system: The immune (body defense) sy
