Wife has had C Diff since Feb: Is she still infectious?

Posted by redwing1950 @redwing1950, Jun 3, 2020

Hello, I am caregiver to my wife of 76, she has CFS, cognitgive decline and other issues. In February she had emergency surgery on her appendikx, which was trying to burst thru a hernia. Anyway, sent home with antibiotics, the next week chronic diarrhea...we get a stool sample, positive C Diff. she has had two courses of antibiotics, now there is less diarrhea, but many bowel movements a day, gut discomfort. She takes Florastor plus other probiotics. Our GP tells us she will always now test positive for CDiff, and because she has a compromised immune system her guts will never be "normal" again.

OK, we can accept that I guess, what I want to understand are two things if possible: is she still infectious, and what level of cleaning should I do in our apartment. At present I clean with a bleach solution any surfaces we share and the bathrooms. I wash the whole place with soap and water every few days...I am exhausted...
Any guidance much appreciated...
Red

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 4, 2020

Hello @redwing1950 and welcome to Mayo Connect.

It sounds as if your wife has been through a number of health issues recently. I am sorry to hear that she has been left with C-Diff. Your question about cleaning is a good one. I would like to invite you to another Connect discussion on C-Diff, here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-diff-4/.

I found some information on the CDC's website about C-Diff and preventing the spread, here is the link, https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/prevent.html

Did your health care team give you any special instructions for dealing with cleaning?

Laura48(Laura Walters) | @david33 | Jun 4, 2020

I'm having problems with constipation, and currently, taking medication that stops working when my body becomes amine to the meds any ideas of how to regulate this?

redwing1950 | @redwing1950 | Jun 4, 2020

The core question for me was: is my wife still infectious, should I still be doing a bleach clean every day?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 4, 2020

Hi @redwing1950, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @hopeful33250 and other members. I did find some reference links that you may find helpful for answers.

C.diff infection treated in a home environment: https://cdifffoundation.org/cdiff-infection-homecare/
Prevent the Spread of C. diff | CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/cdiff/prevent.html
What Caregivers Need to Know About C. Difficile: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/c-diff-can-prove-fatal-for-the-elderly-220179.htm

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 4, 2020

In reply to @redwing1950 "The core question for me was: is my wife still infectious, should I still be doing..." + (show)

Whether or not your wife is still infectious is probably a question for her health care team, @redwing1950. That is a question that Connect cannot answer. If I were you, I'd give her doctor's office call and direct that question to them.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 5, 2020

In reply to @david33 "I'm having problems with constipation, and currently, taking medication that stops working when my body becomes..." + (show)

Hello @david33

I appreciate your post. On Connect, we have several discussions on the topic of chronic constipation. Here are the links,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/slow-transit-constipation-and-surgery/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/laxatives-wondering/
If you would be comfortable sharing more about this problem, how long have you been troubled with this? Have you had any surgeries of the digestive tract that might contribute to constipation? Have you been evaluated by a GI specialist?

redwing1950 | @redwing1950 | Jun 5, 2020

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Whether or not your wife is still infectious is probably a question for her health care..." + (show)

Hi there...our GP was of now help, just told me she would always test positive, good luck....
I think I will stick with keeping the place as clean as I can and watch for renewed symptoms...ahh life
all the best,
Red

redwing1950 | @redwing1950 | Jun 5, 2020

In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @redwing1950, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @hopeful33250 and other..." + (show)

Thanks for the reply John, will check them out...:-)

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 7, 2020

Hi @redwing1950, I'd like to add my welcome to you. There are several discussions about Cdiff here on Connect that may interest you:
- C Difficile: Do you have memory issues, disoriention, confusion? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-diff-4/
- Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-am-trying-to-recover-from-a-c-diff-infection-this-started-with/

I also added your discussion to the Caregivers: Dementia group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers-dementia/
Feeling fatigued with caregiving is certainly something that other know well too. You mention that your wife has cognitive decline. Can you tell me more? Does she have mild cognitive impairment MCI or another diagnosis?

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 8, 2020

In reply to @david33 "I'm having problems with constipation, and currently, taking medication that stops working when my body becomes..." + (show)

@david33 Good morning, Laura. Has this constipation been going on for some time? Have you spoken to your doctor about this? Constipation can be a delicate balancing act and you really want the body to work normally. I would suggest talking with your doctor and working with her to solve the problem. Can you do that?