My C. Diff Infection Treatment Plan
My C. diff Infection Treatment Plan
C. diff infection occurs in your colon and is caused by Clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacteria. Use this treatment plan to treat your infection at home and avoid spreading it to others. Read on to learn what to do.
Key goals of your treatment plan
Learn how to keep C. diff from spreading. This includes practicing good handwashing and taking steps to prevent C. diff at home and at work.
Watch for symptoms of C. diff coming back and get help if you need it.
Take medicines for C. diff as your doctor tells you to.
Notes:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Important information
Use this page to keep your doctor's name and phone number and other important information in one place.
Fill in the information below or ask your doctor, nurse, or loved one to fill it out
Post this page somewhere you can easily see it, such as on your refrigerator
Patient name: ________________________________________________________
Contact information
Primary doctor's name |
Phone number |
---|---|
|
|
Other healthcare provider |
Specialty |
Phone number |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Hospital or clinic name |
Address |
Phone number |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Follow-up appointments
Test or appointment |
Location |
Date |
Time |
---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition to C. diff, I also have these health problems: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
How should I wash my hands so I don't spread C. diff?
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) germs can stay on your hands after you use the bathroom, then spread to any person, surface, or object you touch. Washing your hands often is one of the best ways to not spread C. diff. To wash your hands: Rinse your hands first, then scrub with soap for 30 to 40 seconds. Rinse your hands well and dry them. Below are more tips for good handwashing.
Always wash hands:
After using the bathroom
Before and after preparing food
Before and after eating
After touching any object or surface that may have C. diff germs on it
Alcohol-based cleaners don't work against C. diff germs.
How can I not spread C. diff?
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) germs can live outside your body for several months. Here's how to keep the germs from spreading at home and at work.
Get prepared
Gather your cleaning supplies:
Disposable (rubber) gloves
Paper towels
Soap
Chlorine bleach
Trash bags or plastic bags
Follow safe and clean habits:
After washing your hands, dry them with a paper towel, then throw the paper towel away
Each day, clean the bathroom and any other areas in the house that may have C. diff germs
Wash your hands often! Especially after using the bathroom or cleaning or handling any items that may have C. diff germs on them.
A note for caregivers
If you are caring for a patient who has C. diff, use the tips in this treatment plan to avoid spreading the infection to yourself or others.
How can I tell if my C. diff has come back?
C. diff is an infection in the colon caused by Clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacteria. Sometimes, C. diff comes back. This can happen any time within weeks to months after you finish taking your medicine. Watch for symptoms and know what to do if your infection comes back.
Symptoms to watch for:
Watery diarrhea
Fever
Belly pain and cramping
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite and weight loss
In more severe cases, you may have:
Watery diarrhea (up to 10 to 15 times a day) with blood or pus
Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Swollen belly
Severe pain in your lower belly
C. diff can come back in about 1 in 4 patients. If C. diff does come back, you are at higher risk for infection again in the future.
If I notice symptoms of C. diff, or think that my infection has come back, I will:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your treatment plan goals
C. diff is a serious illness, but it can be treated. You can stop the spread of infection to others and lower the chances of getting the infection again.
Here are the 3 goals for treatment and specific steps you can take to reach each goal.
Read these and decide which steps you are ready to take
Ask your doctor or nurse to explain any steps you are unsure of
Come up with a few ideas of your own
3 goals of your treatment plan
Goal 1. Learn how to keep C. diff from spreading.
Steps I can take:
Practice good handwashing daily
Each day, use chlorine-based bleach to disinfect surfaces (such as counters and light switches) and areas at home (such as the bathroom) that may have C. diff germs
Ask others to wear gloves and to wash their hands if helping me in the bathroom
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 2: Watch for symptoms of C. diff coming back and get help when I need it.
Steps I can take:
Know what symptoms to watch for if C. diff comes back
Know when and how to contact my doctor if symptoms return
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 3: Take medicines for C. diff exactly as my doctor tells me to.
Steps I can take:
Ask my doctor to explain any medicines I'm prescribed
Know when, how much, how many, and how often to take my medicines
Know what side effects to watch for when taking my medicines
Not stop taking my medicines unless my doctor tells me to
Other:________________________________________________________________________________________
Other:________________________________________________________________________________________
Updated:  
November 18, 2017
Sources:  
Cohen SH et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010;31(5):431-55., Fekety et al. Recurrent clostridium difficile Diarrhea: Characteristics of and Risk Factors for Patients Enrolled in a Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial. Clinical Infectious Diseases 1997;24:324-33., Hand Hygiene: Why, How & When? World Health Organization
Reviewed By:  
Hanrahan, John, MD,Zingman, Barry S, MD