Prevention

There are several precautions everyone can take to reduce the risk of contracting CDI.

Limit Use of Antibiotics

The most effective method of CDI prevention is to limit antibiotic use to times when they are strictly necessary. Your doctor can help lower your risk for CDI by restricting the use of antibiotics known to promote the development of CDI. If you need to take antibiotics, ask your doctor to prescribe one that has a narrow range and can be taken in the shortest time possible.

Probiotic Supplements

Although it has not been proven, probiotic supplements taken during and after antibiotic treatment are thought to help replace beneficial bacteria in your digestive system and may also help to reduce the rate of CDI recurrence. Currently, Saccharomyces boulardii is the only probiotic that has some activity against a C. difficile infection.

Health Care Provider Risk Control

Health care providers should always exercise proper prevention methods to reduce the risk factors for CDI in hospitals. Hospital staff should wear disposable gloves and gowns when treating people with CDI, and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after treating each patient. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not effectively destroy C. difficile spores.

C. difficile-positive patients should be given private rooms or share a room with someone who has the same illness. Patients who share a room with a C. difficile-positive patient are much more likely to develop CDI.

The CDC has issued stringent infection control guidelines for health care institutions. When undergoing hospitalization, do not hesitate to speak with your doctor about proper infection control precautions in order to reduce your risk for CDI.