While there are several types of bacteria that can cause infection, one of the most harmful and deadliest is responsible of almost half a million infections and as many as 27,000 deaths in 2014.
According a recent report found in New England Journal of Medicine released on Wednesday, February 25, the number of cases of infections and deaths related to Clostridium difficile or C. diff, its abbreviated name, is higher than the previous estimates. It causes 453,000 infections in 2011 alone, around twice than what was believed.
This is understandable, however, since the patients normally develop the symptoms after they have been released from the hospital.
The bacterium is a very powerful one since it doesn't react positively to medications. In fact, antibiotics can usually make it worse, causing the further spread and reproduction of the bacteria in the intestines. It cannot also be eliminated with a hand sanitizer. The doctors recommend that the initial best defense against it is by washing hands with water and soap.
C. diff is usually found in hospitals, although in more recent cases, it can already be anywhere including offices of doctors and dentists. Once the bacterium is already in the body, it releases toxins that damage the lining of the intestinal walls.
A person with the bacteria usually develop diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration when it's not immediately controlled. This can then cause the body to go into shock and organ failure. The bacterium can also cause sepsis or blood poisoning, which is an emergency. The poison can easily travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Because of the high number of cases of infection and the presence of a stronger strain, the Department of Health and Human Services is bent on penalizing health care settings that won't be able to control C. diff cases. They will begin doing this in 2017.