Sounds like a science fiction scenario? - Unfortunately it is too real. A new and very virulent mutant pathogen has infected patients in hospitals in at least 38 states. Because infection with these bacteria are not reported in many states, the incidence of infection is probably increasing at a pace much faster than has been recognized. Notifications were sent by the CDC and other offices responsible for communicable disease control in the U.S. This new epidemic strain of bacteria resistant to antibiotics is now suddenly ranked with MRSA or methicillin-resistant aureas aureus (aka staph) as the top 2 potentially fatal infection that can be contracted during a hospital visit.
What is this new bacteria? In reality it is a common bacterium (bug) that caused diarrhea in older patients with treatable nursing homes and hospitals for years. Clostridium difficile or C.diff. is transmitted through contact with fecal matter, usually from hand or food to the mouth. C.diff related diarrhea occurs most commonly as a result of using antibiotics. When antibiotics are used they kill some good bacteria in your body that usually keeps the bad bacteria like C.diff from flourishing. (C.diff is resistant to multiple antibiotics) Ironically, when you are attacked by C.diff because of anti-antibiotics you are taking - you must take a specific anti-biotic to kill C.diff flourishing. Here-in lies the new problem. A mutant strain of C.diff called NAP1/027 resists all antibiotics, anti-bacteria and this is more toxic. C.diff produces spores when it senses that it is under attack by antibiotics and these spores are not easily killed by cleaning products usually used to clean hospitals. These C.diff spores can remain on hospital surfaces for months and can contaminate food and everything it touches by the hospital staff or patients. Contracting C.diff, especially the NAP1 strain can lead to uncontrolled bouts of diarrhea, up to 50 per day, and can lead to more serious, imagine something more serious, like C.difficile associated disease (CDAD) and chronic problems of colon.
What can I do? Not much. But here are some things that can help prevent infection:
1) Avoid the overuse of antibiotics. Ask your doctor if antibiotics, particularly the anti-biotic, which has been associated with CDAD, is really necessary for treatment. Anti-biotic overuse is a major reason that these bacteria resistant mutants.
2) Wash hands thoroughly before putting something in his mouth, especially after visiting a hospital or nursing home.
3) Wear surgical gloves when caring for patients with CDAD or diarrhea.
4) Do not let the serious cases of diarrhea should be treated by a doctor. Unfortunately, common diarrhea medicines may make c.diff worst infection by blocking the bacteria wash effect of diarrhea. C.diff infections call for more than over-the-counter drugs.
5) If you suspect a problem, call your doctor, especially if you develop diarrhea after tending to a patient or visiting a hospital.
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