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Re-infection from a hospital visit likelihood?

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:25 am
by KLor
Hello everyone,

I have not been on here in a long time! I am one year and almost 4 mos out from my last Dificid pill, and while the PI-IBS has been up and down and I'm still on a low-FODMAP diet with no foreseeable changes, life is a whole lot better than it was during infection.

In the last week, however, I've been exhibiting symptoms that are not very typical for me anymore: 3-4 Bristol 5s per day, significantly more intestinal pain, etc. This clearly doesn't comply with the 3x3 rule for calling the doctor (which I do follow), but it's also very similar to the way my c. diff presented before the full WD kicked in.

Recently my father was in the hospital for a surgical procedure, and I visited him in his room and used a public restroom in the hospital. Although I haven't been on any abx, how likely is it that c. diff bacteria may have been reintroduced into my system that way?

I also consumed more coconut products that normal this week, so I'm not panicking or anything--many possible explanations for what's going on. Still, I think it's good to be aware of potential risks.

Anything others might suggest to ward the nasty away, JUST in case it's present?

Thank you!

Re: Re-infection from a hospital visit likelihood?

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:35 am
by Lisa33
I guess there’s always a risk of re-infection being in a hospital, but given your awareness, I’m sure that you take extra precaution. I can’t imagine that c-diff would be back, and the abnormal symptoms is due to something else, like you said. If probiotics agree with you, that may be something to consider if you aren’t currently taking them. Maybe your doctor can take a stool test and check for everything, including other pathogens as well.

Hope things turn around for you and you start to feel better.

Lisa

Re: Re-infection from a hospital visit likelihood?

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:24 pm
by sammi79
I contracted c-diff for the second time when I went to the hospital. Not only did I wash my hands when I left the room and did not touch anything on the way out, I also sanitized my hands when I got into the vehicle. 6 weeks later, surprise, c-diff!!!! It really was a surprise too because aside from that hospital visit, I had no risk factors. It had been well over a few years since my previous antibiotic use.

I hope for your sake it isn't c-diff and just a fluke.

Re: Re-infection from a hospital visit likelihood?

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:46 pm
by AllisS
It's impossible to draw a link between a visit to a hospital, medical office, etc., and acquisition of C. diff, beyond the coincidental. C. diff exists in the environment and could be picked up anywhere; the only route of transmission, to put it graphically, is fecal-to-oral -- meaning you'd need to actually touch a contaminated surface and then "ingest" the spores via mouth or nose. Given the precautions taken by both of you (KLor, Sammi), how you might have picked up C. diff during the hospital visit is a mystery -- and you may well have picked it up somewhere else. As C. diff has become more prevalent in the community -- infectious-disease doctors refer to this phenomenon as community-acquired C. diff -- it's also become harder to avoid. Even though the usual risk factors weren't present in either of your cases, an unknown risk factor -- e.g., temporarily lowered immunity -- may have been at play.

Re: Re-infection from a hospital visit likelihood?

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:04 pm
by NanciT
I do understand the fear, there is always a risk. But there are several of us who work in a hospital. I take all precautions and it has not been easy. There are several times over the last 3 years when I thought it was back, especially after walking past several room coded as having CDIFF. I take all precautions, never bring my "hospital" shoes in the house, wash my hands etc.
Most recently ( 6 weeks ago) I was a patient and kept over night. That was my biggest concern. I think I will always worry about it.
I agree with AllisS, we have had several on the site who picked it up in the "community" and did not know where it came from.
It can be very tough to battle through CDIFF as many of us know, I think we have this fear which is often the case.
Hang in there and hopefully your symptoms will improve!!!
NanciT