New research undertaken by the University of Utah Health has found that one of the most common health care-associated infections spreads in intensive care units more than three times more than previously thought.
The infection, known as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping. It can also lead to colitis (inflammation of the colon) and can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea and loss of appetite.
In severe cases of the infection, a person’s colon can become enlarged, potentially leading to life-threatening situations such as sepsis or perforation of the colon. C. diff infections are most common in individuals who have recently taken antibiotics, are over 65 years old, or have a weakened immune system…