A cleaning question!

[iamsick]

I'm new to the forum and I have a question. My bedroom and bathroom are carpeted. The commode is in a closed room to itself. I read on caring.com,"A vacuum cleaner with bags can be used to vacuum up C-diff spores. Do not use it in the rest of the house but designate it just for the area of concern. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner when infection is over". Is this true or should I remove the carpeting? Also, can I use my carpet cleaner with a bleach solution or have it cleaned professionally? There has not been any D on the carpet. I also called the CDC, the first responder was clueless but has sent my question up the ladder and stated I would receive an email in response.

[seekingcure]

STANDARD INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Site History” and “Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 70%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate, and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online." (Allison provided this information.)

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and “The FMT Foundation” under “Links” on the homepage.

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.

Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)

I really don't know the answer to your question, but would love to hear what the CDC tells you. I would be surprised to find out the vacuum cleaner would work. Unless you have a very good vacuum, I would be concerned that you would just be stirring the spores up into the air. If you have not had an accident on the carpet and you always close the toilet before flushing, it might not be an issue anyway. You can use a bleach solution on some types of carpet, but I don't know if the mild solution you would have to use to keep from ruining the carpet would be sufficient to kill c-diff spores. Check with the manufacturer of your carpet before trying a bleach solution on it. If it's just a small area and you can afford to remove it, that might be the best for your peace of mind. I've always preferred tile or linoleum for a bathroom anyway.

Let us know what you find out.