Would you expose yourself to C-Diff?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

Help. I feel so torn. Am I over reacting? I am a nurse. I remember dealing with a few patients who had c-diff and they were in isolation. Everything had to be cleaned with bleach. My mom found out last week she has c-diff. She was in the hospital for 2 days with colitis, was on antibiotics and IV fluids. She came home with bad diarrhea. I was the one who told her to go into the hospital in the first place. Then i had to tell her to ask for a stool test for c-diff. She has been ignoring severe stomach issues for over a year, so I am not even sure when she got c-diff. So I was planning on visiting her, but she is still have watery diarrhea after being on medication to treat it for the last week. She isn't in the hospital, but I think she is getting dehydrated and I think she might need to be admitted again. I told her to call her doctor monday. Am I being too paranoid by not visiting her? I know good hand washing is the main thing, but isn't it possible there are cdiff spores all over her house? I told her I was worried about getting it and i felt bad. Would you take a chance by visiting or not??

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I'd be there in 2 minutes taking care of my mom and making sure she was getting the medical care she needs.

Do you not know how to follow precautions?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Just something to keep in mind about all of those patients in isolation when they're in the hospital: when they are discharged, they aren't in isolation at home, at the grocery store, sitting next to you on the subway. Germs are everywhere, and those that are resistant aren't advertised with signs and yellow gowns. Proper hand hygiene is a must.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

We are unable to offer any medical advice, per the Terms of Service.

A quick online search produced these informative sites, with tips for just such a situation as you describe (there were many others too):

Tips - C-Diff Support

C. difficile infection Self-management - Mayo Clinic

Helpful information may also be available from your mom's medical provider(s).

Wishing her improved health!

closing this thread.

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