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What does C diff stand for in medical terms?

What does C diff stand for in medical terms?

C. diff (sometimes mistakenly shortened to “c dif” or “cdif”) is the proper shortened version of Clostridium difficile [klo–strid–ee–um dif–uh–seel] ( C. difficile ), which is a type of bacteria that causes inflammation and infection of the colon, known as colitis. C. diff is also a shortened way of referring to the infectious colitis itself.

How does C diff get on your hands?

And if someone with C. diff can’t take a shower with soap and water, they can end up with C. diff germs on their skin. Then, when someone else touches the skin of that person, or the surfaces that person touched, they can pick up the germs on their hands.

Which is more common C diff or colonization?

Colonization is more common than C. diff infection and does not require treatment. Once your body is colonized, you can remain colonized for several months. If you are colonized with C. diff, you can spread the infection to others.

Can a colitis infection be caused by C diff?

What Is Clostridium Difficile (C. diff)? Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you’ve been taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

Can a C diff infection cause no symptoms?

When kept in check by other good bacteria, C. diff may not cause any symptoms at all. However, when something (most often antibiotic usage) throws off the balance of bacteria in the body, this is when a problem can occur and C. diff can start growing rapidly. What is the typical C. diff incubation period?

Can a molecular assay be positive for C diff?

Molecular assays can be positive for C. diff in individuals who are asymptomatic. When using multi-pathogen (multiplex) molecular methods, the results should be read with caution. In addition, patients with other causes of diarrhea might be positive, which could lead to over-diagnosis and treatment.

Can a person with C diff be protected from CDI?

People colonized with a non-toxin-producing strain of C. diff may actually be protected from CDI. CDI is diagnosed based on symptoms, primarily watery diarrhea occurring at least three times a day, and stool that tests positive for C. diff. A positive test without symptoms represents colonization and does not require treatment.