C. difficile outbreak at St. Mike's
June 3, 2008
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Precious Yutangco
STAFF REPORTER
Seven patients are in isolation and cardiac surgeries have been halted following a C. difficile outbreak at St. Michael’s Hospital that started late last night.
Two patients came into hospital with the bacteria, Dr. Roslyn Devlin, a spokesperson for the hospital, said earlier this morning. One of the two patients was “perfectly healthy,” but after being given antibiotics, the bacteria thrived.
Devlin said that C. difficile lives in two to four per cent of people who may never exhibit symptoms. Unfortunately, antibiotics feed the bacteria, which was what happened in one of the two cases mentioned.
The seven infected with C. difficile are suffering from diarrhea as a result of the bacteria. The degree of illness varies from patient to patient, Devlin added.
If left untreated, C. difficile can develop into pseudo membranous colitis, a disease that affects the colon. Warnings have only been posted in areas where infected patients are or have been.
The hospital is still accepting general visitors in small groups but they must wash their hands thoroughly before entering and leaving.
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