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Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

Clostridium difficile, a bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and belly pain. It has become drug resistant and could be fatal. Older adults and people using antibiotics are more likely to get C. diff. People often take antibiotics while recovering from surgery, which puts them at a greater risk of getting this infection. CompareMaine uses this for the Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections quality measure.