daughter in law has c-diff and is coming to my house for Thankgiving

I am at a loss. My daughter in law came down with c-diff in July after giving birth to my grandson. She is on her third round of vancomycin and is also taking Florastor but it has been recurrent so far. She plans on a fecal transplant if this last round doesn't work. She was told having the baby and taking antibiotics for mastitis is what made her susceptible.

Question- she is coming in town with the new baby for Thanksgiving. I am very afraid of getting c-diff again since it nearly killed me last time. Is it safe for me to hold the baby since some babies carry it? Should I request they get a hotel room rather than stay in the house with me?

Thanks Gumby! Yes, I am so disappointed about all this. She got c-diff a week before we came to visit the new baby. I had just started feeling well and was recovering from a long bout with it myself so I was very paranoid, I didn't hold the baby then out of fear of contracting it again but was looking forward to having a great time with him at Thanksgiving. Ugh.

Once a person has C. diff infection, the infection can spread to others. C. diff spores are shed in the feces and can live on dry surfaces for a long time. It is best to wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Clean surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens regularly with chlorine bleach-based products. You can hold the baby but wash your hands before and after you do that. Also, wash the bathroom well to remove possible C. diff spores.

Thanks for all the responses!

Bananagirl, do you know how long babies carry the c-diff? I agree with you bc I honestly wanted to die when I had it bc I was so tired of being sick and in pain. Life is so cruel sometimes. I have been waiting to hold my grandbaby but couldn't take a chance when I visited several months ago due to her mom having it and afraid to hold the baby then. I would have never imagined daughter in law coming down with c-diff but glad it happened before I came to visit them a few months ago. I would have been blamed for it, lol.




Shannon won't the spores land on my clothes after holding the baby? I worry that I may pick them up from my clothes...

Petittarte- I didn't know dogs could get it too! Hope he gets well fast!

Pmedic,
Think about this....a Thanksgiving buffet is probably much more potentially toxic to you. Food sitting out at a buffet has a high risk of food poisoning, plus you have no idea of the health of all of the people in the restaurant. Does your daughter in law have active D right now? If she doesn't you are probably very safe. Don't have her cook or clean up dishes. I really think you are going to be fine. But an infectious disease specialist seems like the right person to ask....or even the CDC.

When my mother was diagnosed with C. diff after treatment for complications of a hip fracture repair, my rheumatologist said under NO circumstances could I do anything other than stand in the room with my arms folded. She didn't want me to touch anything in my mother's room or even peck her on the cheek. I had a very complicated recovery with C. diff. The rheumy really didn't even want me to see her until she was cleared of the C. diff.

See what your GI says.

Ides, I agree with your Rheumy. That is how I handled it the last time I went to see them and she had c-diff. I didn't enter their house and when we met, it was at restaurants. I kept my distance! I was glad I did it that way because we were on our way out of town on vacation and it was nice not to have to worry if I was going to get sick in a few days. It is just not worth the risk. Thank you for answering my post!

Bananagirl, Thank you so much for asking your Moms opinion! It gave me a whole new perspective. My husband keeps reminding me that it is not worth the risk to spend a couple days in the same house if it means it could possibly cost me my life if I get sick again. I am still pretty weak and don't feel like I have recovered my strength completely yet. I live close to New Orleans and they have a fabulous swanky hotel that has a Thanksgiving Jazz brunch feast that would blow your mind. All the New Orleans delicacies with Thanksgiving goodies also.  Most of the Food I wont be able to eat but it will be fun watching the others enjoy it, LOL!

I am leaning toward the buffet and playing it safe. I cant imagine being sick like that again if I can help it. My GI responded to my question. She said if the DIL has formed stool, she is LESS infectious. She thinks I have been more stable lately so I am less likely to contract it. She also said if either the baby or DIL have symptoms, to take precautions. I didn't like the "less infectious" part  bc that is not guaranteeing that I wont get it. I will call my son today and let him know that although I may be OK but not willing to take a chance, no matter how small it is. We can always spend time together as a family when everyone is well.

Thanks for all the responses!

Hi Gumby, I think you made the right choice for both of you! No need to possibly infect him or other patients if you are still infectious or no need exposing yourself at the hospital and possibly contracting it again! I can completely relate about guilt... When my father was still alive, he lived 3000 miles away and was chronically sick. It was hard to manage the guilt when I couldn't be there. He lived alone and didn't have anyone to help him. I can remember one time he got discharged to a rehab center but as soon as he was able to walk, he walked around the facility and realized it was also a nursing home, which he didn't want anything to do with. He signed himself out AMA and took a cab home. He was so weak, he crawled up his stairs to get inside.I had to fly in immediately. I ended up having to quit my job bc I had to stay there for an extended amount of time. So, I understand guilt... Try not to feel guilty! At least your dad is in assisted living and will have someone there. My GI always told me he was surprised I got CD so late in life but now I think I know why. I would have never been able to care for him 3000 miles away in the condition I am in now. Everything always happens for a reason, I guess.

I haven't made the call to my son yet. I am dragging my heels. Hopefully they will understand. I am banking on the fact that he wouldn't want me coming to his house and exposing the new baby if I were sick or even possibly infectious. We will see :)