Visiting someone with treated c diff
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Anonymous
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How crazy is this? My family of four has typical immune systems, as far as I know. My kids are middle school aged. I have family who would really like to see us over the holidays and we would be staying with a grandparent who is having recurrent bouts of c diff. She is getting treatment and has been in and out of the hospital. Assuming that she is feeling better, could we stay with her without any particular risk? We know she got this by not taking antibiotics properly. The hitch is that this is a house with one full bathroom and two half baths, so that full bathroom, uh, gets a lot of use. One of the half baths is in the attic and isn’t used at all.
Thank you for your thoughts. I guess I could ask the pediatrician, but that feels like overkill. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't worry about it. Tell your kids to use the attic bathroom, who cares. |
Anonymous
| I would ask the ped |
Anonymous
| You DO NOT stay. You book a Hotel. Absolutely, and ordinary for most visits to most people. Don't go if you can't afford that. |
Anonymous
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Someone with C. diff is contagious until at least 48 hours after their diarrhea has stopped. However, C. diff can be spread as long as the bacteria are present in the stool, and some people may continue to shed the bacteria for weeks after symptoms improve. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water, and cleaning surfaces, is crucial to prevent spread even after the immediate symptoms are gone.
Even if contagion is unlikely, I probably wouldn't stay at the house. Although your family could be exposed even if you stay elsewhere. So, there would be a certain degree of risk regardless. |
Anonymous
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RN here. It's iffy. It's likely fine. I mean we've had patients with CDIFF whose family members they live with never get it. If she's having active stools right now, I definitely wouldn't stay. If her BMs are normal, I'd be more comfortable.
Unless there is an issue with your family getting to the attic, I would use that one. Soap and water! And whatever cleaning products are being used, make sure they actually work with CDIFF. We use Bleach wipes. If you're worried and can afford it just get a hotel. But is she going to be cooking or preparing anything when you visit? |
Anonymous
| Do not eat from her kitchen unless you sanitize it with bleach and cook yourselves. Even then... |
Anonymous
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Overkill to ask pediatrician? You have no clue.
Overkill is family with the runs for weeks. Driving or flying home? This is stupid. Stay in a hotel and treat them to restaurants. If she really can't leave the house...well really. |
Anonymous
| Get a hotel or Air BnB. Say you don't want to overburden her with her being so sick. |
Anonymous
| C diff is very hard to remove from environment. My parent got it a few years ago and was quarantined while they had it. Once they recovered, the whole room was cleaned with heavy duty machine from top to bottom. |
Anonymous
| I would not visit. |
Anonymous
You guys are better than the pediatrician. Who are we kidding? This is the best place to go when you know you need a wake up call. This is my in-laws and they have a strong preference for keeping us close… plus we have a small dog (that they adore). It’s a long driving trip. I certainly have no desire to catch this from her. She isn’t even back from her second hospital trip in less than a month. I wonder why my father in law hasn’t caught it. Better gut balance, I guess. Thanks all! |
Anonymous
| Hmmm. My husband has had c diff flares for years and I have never gotten it and he definitely has never quarantined. I guess I should consider myself lucky. |
Anonymous
| I absolutely would not stay with them. I think even your dog could get it...how fun. |
Anonymous
You indeed should. If he has ever been hospitalized with it (I have), you will have seen that it requires isolation there. OP: absolutely not. |