Well, that’s one place to get it, but not the most common.
C-diff (Clostridium difficile) is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, which means that it does not require oxygen to survive. The name Clostridium describes its shape, which is shaft-like. The second name, difficile, describes how difficult this germ is to eradicate after it invades your body.
It is an extremely tough bug and its spores can survive for long periods at room temperature. It is resistant to a number of antibiotics, and can actually grow more easily in their presence. If it is stressed, it is able to form dominant spores.During this stage, the bacteria are able to live in adverse conditions. It will remain in a spore form until it reaches conditions adequate for germination. Once it has once again become active, C. diff. can cause disease.
Sounds like something evil from outer space, huh?
Anyway, this is why C-diff infections are common in hospitals, nursing homes or other areas where disease and antibiotic use are widespread
You get it from feces. Any surface, device, or material (e.g., commodes, bathing tubs, and electronic rectal thermometers) that becomes contaminated with feces may serve as a reservoir for the Clostridium difficile spores. C-diff spores are transferred to patients mainly via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item—this includes touch contaminated surfaces after they wash their hands. So, it is possible to contract C-diff in hospitals and nursing homes because many patients are bedridden and their stool elimination must handled manually, which gives great opportunity for contamination and then, as stated above, can be exacerbated by exposure to antibiotics used in these institutions.
So, if your work mates, spouse, kids, or best buddies aren’t real good at washing their hands after using the bathroom… or you could get it from shaking your bosses hand from a server who was too busy to wash, or slapping high fives with the dude in the bar. Later, when you’re eating a sandwich or smoking a cigarette and your fingers touch your lips—bingo—it just invaded your body. And it multiplies fast.
That’s also why smokers get it more than anybody else. They always touching their mouths. It’s also why they get more colds and anything else you can think of that is contagious at room temp.
But any toilet, including your own, can be the culprit. Think about it the next time you are having picnic a little closer to the Port-0-Lets because gramps has a little age-appropriate polyuria going on. And you notice flies are landing on your food.
It only takes one. And people die from it.
HERE is a really informative page from the CDC on C-diff. The language isn’t too technical and it will answer all your questions on symptoms, treatment and prevention.
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