C Diff

[Feelingstrange2]

I'm a carer for my elderly father who has just been in hospital for a week with an infection which turned out to be c diff. I've no idea how he got it as he's not been on antibiotics nor has he been in any obvious care setting - although he did have 3 A and E visits in the past year for falls (before he came to live with us).

He's currently on antibiotics.

We've got a cleaning regime in place.

What diet should I be including to help fight this and keep our household as safe as possible?

I don’t think there is a particular diet which is good for c diff but temporarily giving up dairy and gluten and maybe even going low fodmap for a few weeks could help give the digestive system a rest.

The probiotic (actually a yeast) S Boulardii is supposed to be very good for c diff, there are quite a few studies online supporting this.

You probably know this already but c diff is highly contagious so masks and gloves would help you whilst you care for your father.

Yes, I'm aware - thank you though. It's a worry but I was heavily involved when he was first ill and taken into hospital, so I suspect that will be the main time I was at risk. Although I like to think I was careful, I wasn't c diff level.careful. I'd never even heard of it

It’s all you need as a carer isn’t it? I care for my elderly mum who has dementia, it’s hard enough without any additional issues.

I hope you manage to avoid it and your father feels better soon.

Yes. I've been quite scared this time as it wasn't expected at all.

Dad has mixed dementia and a handful of other long term progressive issues inc a indwelling fixed catheter. I thought I had a handle on them but wasn't prepared for something left of field and such a fast deterioration in continence, responsiveness and mobility. 111, the ambulance guys, and a couple of nurses in the hospital were incredible.

Now we are home and starting to get used to our new regime. I've read more about it and it's a worry given the high level of reoccurrence.

Still I've got this. I'll talk to his GP when his antibiotic course ends with the questions I have. If I stay well then hopefully we will get through this and all will be well again.

Good luck. Dementia and other health issues (mum also has breast cancer and osteoporosis) is bad to deal with, you certainly don't need a curve ball like c diff thrown your way, fingers crossed you will all be clear of it in the future.

Look up the s boulardii though, it is supposed to help hold back recurring infections.