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C. diff threat growing across the U.S.

May 5, 2008 — 6:59am ET
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hospital acquired infections
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methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Clostridium difficile has long been known to providers as a common but easily-treated bug whose symptoms aren't a big deal. However, of late a drug-resistant strain of C. diff has become more common, posing far greater risks to patients. In fact, some health officials now rank C. diff on par with MRSA as a top infection acquired in hospitals. And it's tough to fight; typical germicides and alcohol sanitizers don't kill it, nor does routine cleaning of surfaces.

Overall C. diff infections in the U.S. have more than doubled since 2000. The NAP1 type of the bacteria, which produces 20 times the toxins of a more benign form, can cause devastating symptoms that can sometimes be lethal. In 2005, almost 10 percent of the patients who were diagnosed as having the bug died. However, some officials think the infection and death rates from C. diff may be much higher, as providers currently aren't required to report the presence of the bug.

To learn more about C. diff's spread:
- read this MSNBC.com article

Related Articles:
Study: C. diff infections, deaths up in hospitals
CDC warns C. diff a threat for hospitals
MDs, hospitals face tough C. diff battle
C. diff deaths shoot up in Ohio

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By Kathy McVay | Posted 5:05am | October 15, 2008

It turns out that I have C dif and was hospitalize before they found out. I have already had my sima colon remove, reflex disease surgery, twice. Once to fix the problem with a herniated value. So they did the surgery. Then had part of my colon remove saying that it was diverticulitus. Then had to go back in because the reflex wrap came loose? as they say. Now I have been on my third round of the vanconmycin (2 rounds) and another one I can not recall. I have miss time, I am of course covered by intermitant family medical leave. After hearing and reading more about this c.diff and being asked by the human resource office to be given permission to release information on my having c.diff. No reading more about this infection and 55 years old not even seen a grand child nor will be in a couple of years has me very scared. Do you know of a support groupg for this illness/

Thank you for any help you can give. Financial this is not helping with this condition and trying to put my son through school. He has been diagnosed with ADD and was in special education trying to make it through college.

Again, thank you for listening I do hope you get this.

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