Chance of new infection

[jG43]

I am a healthy male with no medical issues. I have been cdiff free for over 15 months after fmt on 3rd relapse from clindamycin. What is the likelihood of a new cdiff infection without taking antibiotics or being around hospitals or nursing homes? My GI told me to avoid certain antibiotics but never really talked about chance of new infection.

[poppy86]

I think it's extremely unlikely, but I'm sure there are people here much more knowledgeable about this than I am. While cdiff is naturally occurring in the environment, in soil etc., the chances of picking it up are slim, especially if you haven't taken any antibiotics. Just keep up good handwashing habits and sanitary food prep procedures, that's all we can do.

[AllisS]

While it's not possible to predict the chances of reinfection on an individual basis, I think it's safe to say that, with the passage of time, your risk level is comparable to that of anyone else's. Hopefully, the widespread precautions being taken for COVID, key among them being frequent handwashing, will become habitual and will have a long-lasting deterrent effect on C. diff as well as COVID.

[jG43]

That is a good point. If there is one good thing out of this ordeal is that I learned how to properly wash my hands

[Ril]

Nothing in this world is impossible but it is highly unlikely.
I don’t know if you are just asking out of curiosity or if you are having some kind of symptoms. If you are just curious, I certainly wouldn’t worry. If you have symptoms, follow the 3 day rule and it is likely a GI bug or IBS.

[jG43]

Thank you Ril. I am doing well. I just never really spoke with my GI about future risk. He just advised me to consult him before I ever took any antibiotics in the future