Most of the positive cultures for C. difficile come from children under 2 years of age, but there are not usually any symptoms in this age group. The bacteria produce a spore that can survive in the environment for long periods of time. The spores prefer to live in dry dusty areas, but have been found on handrails, toilet seats and bedpan washers in hospitals. C. difficile infections usually occur in a person who has been on antibiotic therapy. It is believed that many people carry these bacteria in their intestines without any symptoms.
Antibiotic use can activate the bacteria into producing symptoms.
Symptoms and Treatment Diarrhea is the most common symptom seen in patients infected with C. difficile. The severity of the diarrhea ranges from no symptoms, to mild diarrhea to very severe diarrhea with a frequency of up to 20-30 stools a day and lasting 2 to 3 months. Discontinuation of the antibiotic may be all that is necessary to treat the illness. Treatment of asymptomatic patients is not recommended. Hand washing is the single most effective method of preventing this and many other infections.