Clostridium difficile: dealing with a silent menace.

Clostridium difficile infection is a growing problem and infection is not confined to acute hospitals. People with C. difficile may be cared for in community hospitals or at home. Some people with C. difficile suffer recurrent bouts of infection, others are left with ongoing bowel problems as a result of the infection. Prevention, wherever possible, through prudent antibiotic prescribing and scrupulous infection control procedures can reduce infection risks. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risks of life threatening colitis or chronic bowel problems.