C Difficile, or clostridium difficile infection, is a disease commonly contracted in hospital. C Difficile causes diarrhoea and can also cause damage to the lining of the bowels. Generally the symptoms are mild and patients suffering from C Difficile recover fully in a matter of days. However, if C Difficile is contracted by a patient already in a weakened condition, it can be much more serious or even potentially fatal. The elderly are particularly at risk from the disease, as are those in hospital having surgery. Although many cases of C Difficile are unavoidable, there are a number of instances when the disease is contracted due to negligence. In cases of suspected negligence you are fully within your rights to make a claim for compensation against the hospital involved.



The most common symptom of the C Difficile virus is diarrhoea. Usually the disease lasts a few days and then goes away of its own accord. The disease can be treated simply and effectively with a course of antibiotics. In this situation the symptoms are usually mild and there are no lasting affects. However, in some patients there are further symptoms and complications such as fever and abdominal pains. In extreme cases the disease can manifest itself in a form known as pseudomembranous, or antibiotic-associated, colitis. In this form the disease causes severe and lasting damage to the bowel, and in the worst situation can cause the bowel to rupture.

The major problem is that, as with other forms of diarrhoea, C Difficle causes dehydration. In the case of the elderly or someone having major surgery this can be extremely dangerous. Dehydration can lead to extreme illness and in the worst cases be fatal. In this case the patient will need to have fluid replacement therapy alongside the course of antibiotics. This is administered either through a drip being attached to the patient or simply by giving the patient extra fluids orally. Once the fluids have re-entered the system, rapid improvement in the condition of the patient is seen almost immediately.

One of the main ways of stopping the spread of C Difficile is through scrupulous cleanliness. Most hospitals have installed alcohol-based hand wash dispensers throughout the building. These are often found in the entrance to the hospital itself and at connecting doorways between wards. It is important that these are used on a regular basis by everyone entering the hospital, including visitors. Once someone has contracted the disease, they should be moved away from other patients as the disease can move quickly through a ward or hospital wing. If these procedures are not followed and you contract the disease, you should consider making a claim for compensation.

Although the medical profession has a high level of competence generally, there are times when negligence occurs. Nowadays there are many solicitors who specialize in medical negligence cases. If you are planning to make a claim against a hospital for medical negligence, it is important to approach one of these specialists as they will know of cases that have set precedence or that may have a bearing on your own case. They will also be able to offer advice on all aspects of the claim procedure in relation to medical negligence claims. Many of these solicitors tackle cases on a 'no win, no fee' basis.

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