C. difficile is a germ that causes diarrhea and other intestinal problems linked to 14,000 U.S. deaths annually. C. difficile infections cost at least $1 billion in extra health care costs annually.
While rates of many other health care associated infections have declined, hospital stays caused by C. difficile infections tripled in the previous decade. It remains one of the most concerning patient safety threats today, especially to adults. Infection risk rises with age; almost half of infections occur in people younger than 65, however, more than 90% of C. difficile deaths occur in people 65 and older.
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