My sister-in-law was in ICU for 2 weeks with this infection, and then went to a convalescent facility for a week. She is now home, but my brother is beginning to show symptoms - diarrhea, cramping, low grade fever. They are both in their 70's and have a myriad of other medical issues. They are both pretty much homebound, so how could they have gotten this? Neither of them was on antibiotics prior to the onset of symptoms. We have hired a sitter to be with them to help. I'm also concerned that she might be exposed. I'm very concerned. Any information the DC Family can give me will be very appreciated.
Thanks,
Kathy
How long is C-Diff contagious for and how contagious is it?
Question posted by kathyhanson on 19 April 2013
Last updated on 29 June 2017
Answers
charitylaraye
20 April 2013
I fought that same thing for 9 months. you can get it through feces it can be airborn, contact from person to person, say you touch a surface that's contaminated you can get it. you can get it from any public place also when I had it we disinfected everything. it can live on surfaces for months. hope this info is helpful.
charitylaraye
20 April 2013
sorry forgot to add very catchy.
kathyhanson
20 April 2013
Thanks, charitylaraye.
Girl, you know that's not what I wanted to hear!! Haha! The sitter's gonna quit on the spot when we tell her. So, you're saying a person can get it by absorption, inhalation and ingestion? Ugh! Maybe I should buy the sitter a HazMat suit! Definitely need to call out the cleaning crew.
Thanks for responding. You're a gem!
Kathy
charitylaraye
20 April 2013
you are very welcome. I had got the wipes from the hospital the ones they use and disinfected door knobs and everything. I got mine from antibiotics but I could have easily infected my whole family. they quarantined me for three weeks. they tried a lot of antibiotics and it didn't kill it. there is one pill that will if they start having symptoms of it again if not treated correctly it can cause death. I would rather for you to know all the facts I had to do tons of research to find out about my illness. if you need further help im here.
charitylaraye
20 April 2013
you are very welcome. I had got the wipes from the hospital the ones they use and disinfected door knobs and everything. I got mine from antibiotics but I could have easily infected my whole family. they quarantined me for three weeks. they tried a lot of antibiotics and it didn't kill it. there is one pill that will if they start having symptoms of it again if not treated correctly it can cause death. I would rather for you to know all the facts I had to do tons of research to find out about my illness. if you need further help im here.
dirtyvirg
9 Jan 2015
I got c-diff when I as in the hospital for surgery last March 24,2014, so I have had this damn thing for 9 months. I make sure I wash my hands very good after I go to the bathroom & I have not given it to my husband or any of my family who stop by. Now, if I didn't was my hands with soap & water good after I went to the bathroom then I could pass it to anything I touch. Then if others touch that same surface, then they could get it. I have been on different meds. for all these months & now the only thing it did was give me neuropathy of my feet from being on the one med for too long. I have been told that c-diff has built up a tolerance to the 2 antibiotics that usually work on it, and on older people they are having a much harder time also. When I was about 50ish I got c-diff from doctors putting me on too many antibiotics, but they put me on the meds & I got rid of it right away.
Anyway, that makes it also harder to get rid of it too, so now I am 64 & had it before & I am still trying to get rid of it. My next step is some other very expensive drug(my co-pay $2,300.00) & a probiotic and then a fecal transplant. The fecal transplant is best from a relative and is 80 to 85% effective. Wish me luck, that I am in the 80 to 85%.
yogibarrow08
30 June 2017
I just recently contracted this illness from the use of an antibiotic they gave me to treat UTI Cipro. I did have a fever but thought I had a sinus infection until the diarrhea started and I got so dehydrated my lips got parched like I'd been in the desert, anyway made it to the hospital & they ran all sorts of tests, but did not get the diagnosis until they did a stool culture. I am on day number 12 of treatment and feeling much better, I'm finally able to eat, but only a little at a time, the Flagly that they give you actually makes you not want to eat because it leaves a film on your tongue that takes away your taste buds so food tastes blah. I've lost almost 15 pounds through this ordeal, but what I am praying for is that it clears up so I can get back to my life because this has altered my life in every way, my husband just died 3 months ago so I live alone & don't have anyone to go to the store when I need something.
My question was the recovery time, & how do you know you are no longer contagious. Appreciate if someone could clarify that for me please.
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