Clostridium difficile mostly affects people who have been treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics that work against several types of bacteria) or several different antibiotics at the same time, or those taking long-term antibiotics; have had to stay in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or care home, for a long time; are over 65 years old; have certain underlying conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer or kidney disease; have a weakened immune system, which can be because of a condition such as diabetes or a side effect of a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medication; are taking a medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the amount of stomach acid they produce and have had surgery on their digestive system.
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