Your Risk of C. diff

On This Page

C. diff bacteria is commonly found in the environment, but most cases of C. diff occur while you’re taking antibiotics or not long after you’ve finished taking antibiotics. People on antibiotics are 7 to 10 times more likely to get C. diff while on the drugs and during the month after.

That’s because antibiotics affect your microbiome by wiping out bad germs but also the good germs that protect your body against infections.

The effect of antibiotics can last as long as several months. If you come in contact with C. diff germs during this time, you can get sick.

If you’ve been taking antibiotics for more than a week, you could be even more susceptible.

Here are more C. diff risk factors:

age (more than 80% of C. diff deaths happen among those 65 and older)
complicated medical care and extended stays in healthcare settings, especially hospitals and nursing homes
certain antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones
a weakened immune system
previous infection with C. diff or known exposure to the germs

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for developing C. diff.

But you can get C. diff even if none of these apply.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for developing C. diff.