Deadly “hospital” germ entering your home? [ALERT]
The other day I bumped into a good friend of mine. She had extra reason to celebrate this holiday season…
Her mother had been in the hospital for an extended period of time, but is going to be able to come home for Christmas.
Definitely a cause for celebration!
But her news also jogged my memory about a recent study I came across regarding an icky – and potentially deadly – bacteria that’s leeching onto patients leaving the hospital.
If you have a friend or loved one returning from a hospital stay, it’s something you need to keep an eye on…
And there are simple steps to make sure it doesn’t invade your home.
Clostridioides difficile – aka C. diff. – is a bacterium notorious for causing diarrhea and inflammation of the colon (colitis).
C. diff can worsen to the point where it could actually kill you via a combination of dehydration and even sepsis.
But a recent study found that it can run rampant in hospitals and go home with patients who AREN’T actually sick with the germ!
Yep, you could leave the hospital with ZERO symptoms of C. diff but still carry it home and spread it to your family.
In fact, the study found that the odds of infection within the household jumped by 73% after someone comes home from a hospital stay.
EEK!
And the study noted that the risk of C. diff being carried home can increase by as much as 2.5 times the longer you stay in the hospital.
Of course, not every hospital visit or every patient is a major risk for C. diff. But, the study did note three risk factors that can increase the risk of it being brought home.
- AGE: If you’re over 65, you’re at a higher risk.
- ANTIBIOTIC USE: These drugs wipe out the “good” bacteria that can keep C. diff in check, allowing the germ to take over and lead to infection.
- PPI USE: These reflux meds can mess with your stomach acid levels, which is another line of defense against infection.
But there are two simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of C. diff making itself at home in YOUR home.
- Disinfect your home, especially the surfaces in your bathroom.
- Take a high-quality probiotic daily to help supercharge the good bacteria in your gut, which help fend off infections.
To keeping C. diff away from your home,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Hamza, Zaina. “Hospitalized Patients May Be Bringing C. Diff Home to Their Loved Ones.” https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/infectioncontrol/98193
