Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a germ that causes diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. It is estimated to impact almost half a million people in the United States each year, and an estimated 29,300 deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working year-round to protect patients and reduce C. diff infections. Awareness surrounding C. diff is incredibly important and local health departments serve as a vital pathway to informing the public on the significance of protecting yourself and your family and stopping the spread of this deadly infection.

This C. diff Awareness Month, we encourage you to check out what CDC is doing to raise awareness:

• Download and share updated resources, like fact sheets and social media graphics, to help educate yourself and others about C. diff.
• Read the personal experience of C. diff infection survivor Christina Fuhrman of the Peggy Lillis Foundation in a CDC Safe Healthcare guest blog.
• Visit their recently updated webpages so you can:
  ○ Find out who is at risk for C. diff infection and how you can protect yourself and your family.
  ○ Learn how you can prevent the spread of C. diff in the hospital and at home.
  ○ Learn more about what CDC is doing to reduce C. diff infections.

You can visit CDC’s C. diff and antibiotic prescribing and use websites to learn more and share with your networks.