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Most often it is found in care facilities like hospital environments, child care facilities and
nursing homes.
Those most at risk
Immunocompromised patients are among those at highest risk for severe infection.
older adults who do not have control over their bowel or use certain meds
people in the hospital that are taking antibiotics
I. Antibiotics like , penicillins, clindamycin, cephalosporins and chemotherapeutic agents like fluorouracil, methotrexate
can alter the natural GI flora and favour the emergence of C difficile. The combination of nosocomial exposure to C difficile
and loss of normal protective colonic bacteria leads to colonization. As the organism proliferates, toxins A and B are elaborated
and released.
people who are getting chemotherapy
people with origin problems who have surgeries or procedures done in the hospital
people who have shared the room with a C diff pt, or if the room has not been cleaned well
people who are in the intensive care unit
people with problems like heartburn or ulcers, who are taking certain meds to decrease stomach acid
Common routes of transmission include
contaminated patient-to-patient contact, which has been well documented in hospitals,
health care provider contact with contaminated feces (infected humans), environmental surfaces (contaminated inanimate
objects) and patient contact.
Additional contamination sites can include toilets, telephones, electronic rectal thermometers, and bathtubs.
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