Superbug: Clostridium Difficile

This superbug gives you good reason not to push for a prescription the next time you have a cold or the flu.

By Elena Rover

From Reader's Digest

Change Text Size

Change Text Size
|
Bookmark

Bookmark

Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
|
Print
|
E-Mail

When it comes to superbugs, Clostridium difficile is a scary one: A major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, it attacks the walls of the intestine and can even be fatal. Now a study finds that the hospital infection rate is up to 20 times higher than originally thought. The bug likely infects more than 7,000 patients each day -- and may cause 300 deaths or more.

Taking antibiotics helps C. diff get a foothold, good reason not to push for a prescription when you have a cold or the flu. If you're hospitalized, ask doctors and nurses to wash their hands and don gloves before examining you. And if you develop diarrhea within eight weeks of taking antibiotics, remind your doc about the prescription.

From Reader's Digest - March 2009

Should Everyone Read This? Yes! I vote for this story

How to Install Granite Tile Kitchen Countertops
Granite tile gives you the appearance of a solid-stone slab at one-third the cost. We'll show you the techniques for a first-rate job.
6 Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
Bake a batch of any of these easy to follow recipes or just drool over the stunning Christmas cookie pictures.
How To Apply Epoxy Floor Paint To Your Garage
Step-by-step instructions for applying durable epoxy paint to your concrete garage floor.
How To Repair a Leaking Tub Faucet
Replace wornout parts in a bathtub faucet.
911 Calls Gone Tragically Wrong
Wrong addresses, dismissive dispatchers, and crossed signals. Our police response system is in crisis, and the cost can be measured in lives.

November 8, 2009

Get Our Today's Digest Feed

• Your Medical Care
• Common Problems

Antibiotics May Be Pro-Asthma
Overuse of antibiotics and antibacterial cleaners could be giving kids asthma.
One Drug, Many Tragedies
A doctor blows the whistle on a dangerous new drug that wrongfully received FDA approval.
Exciting New Health Benefits for Old Drugs
Check out how some prescriptions are helping ease depression, cut heart disease risk, boost brain power, and more.

Refresh Topic List

Superbug: Clostridium Difficile

This superbug gives you good reason not to push for a prescription the next time you have a cold or the flu.

From Reader's Digest - March 2009

Digg

Reader's Digest Around the World