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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is C. Difficile Infection Contiguous?

My best friend has had C Diff twice. Has a heart condition and in treatment for cancer. They come to our home from hospital bc we are closer to hospital then they are. All my family works and can not afford to miss work so my concern is if we our at risk of getting c diff when they return here. They must gown up and us gloves when entering his room and I know they have given him medicine. Just really concerned for my family as this last time he contracted it he was very ill. Thank you, Brenda
Mon, 20 Mar 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Brenda,
Thank You for the query at HealthcareMagic

C.difficle is a contagious infection.Precautions should be taken to prevent transmission of infection. Infection spread by direct contact and through sharing objects like phones, utensils,touching doors knobs etc.
Proper hand washing and sanitizing of all shared objects help prevent spread of infection.

If precautionary measures are taken, you do not need to worry too much if your family members are healthy ,since the infection mostly cause symptoms in people with weakened immune system,hospitalized or on antibiotics.

The person infected is most contagious when he/she is actively having the symptoms. Once the acute illness subsides chances of transmission are less. But still there is a minimal risk as some people go into carrier state and keep shedding the bacteria.

Hope I was able to help you
Please feel free to address any more concerns
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi
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Is C. Difficile Infection Contiguous?

Hello Brenda, Thank You for the query at HealthcareMagic C.difficle is a contagious infection.Precautions should be taken to prevent transmission of infection. Infection spread by direct contact and through sharing objects like phones, utensils,touching doors knobs etc. Proper hand washing and sanitizing of all shared objects help prevent spread of infection. If precautionary measures are taken, you do not need to worry too much if your family members are healthy ,since the infection mostly cause symptoms in people with weakened immune system,hospitalized or on antibiotics. The person infected is most contagious when he/she is actively having the symptoms. Once the acute illness subsides chances of transmission are less. But still there is a minimal risk as some people go into carrier state and keep shedding the bacteria. Hope I was able to help you Please feel free to address any more concerns Regards, Dr.Lekshmi