Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs)

Clostridium difficile Infection

People getting medical care can catch serious infections called healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). One type of HAI – caused by the germ C. difficile – was estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States in 2011, and 29,000 died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis. Those most at risk are people, especially older adults, who take antibiotics and also get medical care. CDC provides guidelines and tools to the healthcare community to help prevent Clostridium difficileinfections as well as provides resources to help the public safeguard their own health.

Burden of Clostridium difficile Infection in the United States

Resources for...

Patients

General information for you and your family about Clostridium difficile, FAQs, resources for patients…

Clinicians

FAQs, guidelines and recommendations, CDC expert commentaries…

Facilities/Settings

Clostridium difficile infections tools, evaluating environmental cleaning tools…

State Health Departments

Clostridium difficile baseline prevention practices assessment tool, collaboration primer, collaborative Q/A, policy tools…

Tracking C .difficile

CDC is working to better understand the true number of infections caused by these organisms in the US.