Fox News reports that Clostridium difficile, or C. diff— a potentially deadly bacterial infection that’s gained attention due to its treatment by fecal transplants— occurs when the body’s natural balance of gut bacteria gets thrown off – but nows there’s a drug that dismantles C difficile.
This is really important scientific news, especially as public healthcare struggles to cope with C difficile. Unfortunately, too many people don’t thoroughly wash their hands after going to the toilet.
According to Wikipedia:
People are most often nosocomially infected in hospitals, nursing homes, or other medical institutions, although infection outside medical settings is increasing. The rate of C. difficile acquisition is estimated to be 13% in patients with hospital stays of up to two weeks, and 50% with stays longer than four weeks.
Long-term hospitalization or residence in a nursing home within the previous year are independent risk factors for increased colonization.