Superbug, Clostridium Difficile, Becoming New Health Threat
In hospitals around the country, a new threat is lurking. Clostridium Difficile or C. Diff isn't a household name but is growing into a new epidemic needing to be dealt with. The bacterium is becoming resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants. Sunnyvale, CA - Clostridium Difficile , or C. Diff has been around for some 30 years but in the last handful of years has begun to spread through hospitals across the country, in what's being considered an epidemic. According to a recent study, at least 7000 patients are suffering with a C. Diff infection daily. It's been estimated that 300 will die from this superbug. Clostridium difficile is a bacteria that causes symptoms like "diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon." It is found frequently in older adults that are under hospital care or residing in long-term care facilities. It typically shows up after a round of antibiotics. Dr. Fred Tenover of Cephid, a Sunnyvale company that has developed a DNA test ...