Warning over surge in cases of deadly bacteria in UK that kills one in 10 – check 3 symptoms to watch out for
HEALTH ALERT Warning over surge in cases of deadly bacteria in UK that kills one in 10 – check 3 symptoms to watch out for
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
BRITS have been warned as a deadly bacteria that kills one in 10 sufferers has spiked in the UK.
Cases of the "worst diarrhoea ever" are rising - here are three symptoms to watch out for.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel
Credit: Getty
Clostridioides difficile, otherwise known as C. diff, has killed more than one in 10 cases from 2023 to 2024.
Concerned doctors are warning the death toll could continue to soar if action isn't taken.
The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel.
Dr Kerrie Davies of the C. Diff Trust told Metro: "We cannot afford for more patients to be dying of this every year."
She said people "can't function" when struck down with the nasty bacteria.
"Patients with it tell us how scared they are. It is the worst diarrhoea that you have ever, ever had in your life," added the expert.
From February 2024 to January 2025, the UK Health Security Agency received 19,239 reports of C. diff sufferers.
This alarming figure is the highest since 2011/12.
Huge efforts to tackle the potentially killer bug were taken in 2007, which helped reduce the rate of infections.
The most common symptoms to recognise are severe diarrhoea, high temperature and stomach ache.
ITV reality star rushed to A&E as she shares worrying hospital bed snaps
Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from C. diff from 2023 to 2024, which translates to a 12.9 per cent fatality rate.
When it reached it's peak in 2007, over 7,000 people lost their lives.
It is actually normal to have C. diff bacteria in your bowel, without experiencing any trouble.
However, problems arise when the normal balance is disrupted, and you become infected.
And, those who are diagnosed with the bug onCe, are 25 per cent more likely to catch it again.
Bizarrely, if you catch it a second time, there's a 40 per cent chance you'll get it a third time.
After this, you'll be a staggeringly 60 per cent more likely to be struck down with it again.
The risk of death increases with each infection too.
Cases have been spiking across all ages and sexes across the UK, but the worst affected group has so far been the elderly.
Dr Davies further explained how the medical profession has "taken their eye off the ball" since the Covid pandemic.
But the NHS is struggling to keep up with the costs, as each case can cost between £19,000 to £31,000 to treat.
The eye-watering sum is partly down to the quarantine precautions required, and isolation of nurses.
However, even if people do recover, they're likely to experience long-lasting systems which can continue affecting them forever.
Campaigners trying to bring figures down have been calling for the medical industry to do routine tests for C. diff in all patients who come in with diarrhoea.
They also argue antibiotics need to stop being overprescribed.
Meanwhile, Russell Hope, UKHSA Senior Scientist and Team Lead, said: "UKHSA is working alongside partners, including NHS England, to investigate recent increases in C. difficile cases in hospitals and community settings.
"It's likely the current rise is caused by a combination of factors, including an ageing population with multiple illnesses. Work to identify the causes is ongoing and the appropriate public health action will be taken in response to our findings.
"C. difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)."
He said the "infections diarrhoea" which can "increase morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay".
The expert warned the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
Mr Hope explained infections are best managed through "prevention and control" alongside strict monitoring.
C. diff symptoms
According to the NHS;
Symptoms of a C. diff infection diarrhoea
a high temperature
loss of appetite
feeling sick
a stomach ache
How you get a C. diff infection C. diff bacteria usually live harmlessly in your bowel along with lots of other types of bacteria.
But sometimes when you take antibiotics, the balance of bacteria in your bowel can change, causing an infection.
When someone has a C. diff infection, it can spread to other people very easily if the bacteria found in the person's poo get onto objects and surfaces.
Who's at risk
You're more likely to get a C. diff infection if: you're over 65 years
you're taking, or have recently taken, antibiotics
you're staying in hospital or a care home for a long time
you have a weakened immune system – for example, from having a long-term condition like diabetes or kidney failure, or treatment like chemotherapy
you're taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole, or other medicines that reduce stomach acid
you've had a C. diff infection in the past
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Young woman, 23, who died after refusing chemo was 'fanatical' about her heath
Paloma Shemirani, 23, died after she declined conventional treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma - her mother is a well-known former nurse struck off for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 A University of Cambridge graduate who died after she refused chemotherapy told a court she was "anti-vax" and said she trusted her mum's health advice, an inquest has heard. Paloma Shemirani, 23, died at Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 24 2024 after declining the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her mum, Kay, "Kate" Shemirani, is known for sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories online, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, previously heard. In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told. She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, weeped and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read. It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water. 'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist. 'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'. Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously. Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and that she is 'anti-vax'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancée, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer. Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'. She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer," she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?', it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm – had subsided.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Graduate who died after refusing chemo ‘told court she was anti-vax'
Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, heard previously. In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told. She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, weeped and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read. It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. 'I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water. 'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. Kent and Medway Coroner Service in Oakwood House (Gareth Fuller/PA) 'If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist. 'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'. Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously. Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and that she is 'anti-vax'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiance, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer. Gabriel Shemirani, twin brother of Paloma (Gareth Fuller/PA) Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'. She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer', she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. 'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?', it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm – had subsided. Coroner Catherine Wood reprimanded Ms Shemirani multiple times during proceedings. Ms Shemirani cross-examined Dr Amit Goel, a consultant histopathologist at Maidstone Hospital who carried out a biopsy. She repeatedly put to him that insufficient tissue was taken to carry out a FISH test that could rule out other diseases and alter Paloma's treatment plan. The doctor denied that this would have influenced Paloma's care multiple times, and the coroner told Ms Shemirani the inquest is trying to look at 'how Paloma came about her death' but 'you are apparently trying to get information which is incorrect, factually incorrect, in the statements you are making'. 'I think your questions are just designed to take up time and delay matters by the way you're asking them repeatedly,' she added. The mother accused participants of mis-pronouncing her name, which eventually led Ms Wood to say: 'I am going to rise, for Ms Shemirani to reflect on her behaviour in court, this is unacceptable. 'Let's have a pause for tempers to die down because you are clearly becoming over-fixated on a detail.' At the opening of the hearing Ms Shemirani made an application for a lawyer to recuse herself. The coroner rejected the application and said had seen the 'hundreds of emails that have been sent in' and that 'you have requested that everybody recuse themselves at various times', including the coroner herself. The inquest continues.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Graduate who died after refusing chemo ‘told court she was anti-vax'
A University of Cambridge graduate who died after refusing chemotherapy told a court that she was 'anti-vax' and always turned to her mother first for health advice, an inquest has heard. Paloma Shemirani, 23, died at Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 24 2024 after declining the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, heard previously. In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told. She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, weeped and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read. It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. 'I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water. 'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. 'If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist. 'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'. Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously. Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and that she is 'anti-vax'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiance, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer. Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'. She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer', she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. 'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?', it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm – had subsided. Coroner Catherine Wood reprimanded Ms Shemirani multiple times during proceedings. Ms Shemirani cross-examined Dr Amit Goel, a consultant histopathologist at Maidstone Hospital who carried out a biopsy. She repeatedly put to him that insufficient tissue was taken to carry out a FISH test that could rule out other diseases and alter Paloma's treatment plan. The doctor denied that this would have influenced Paloma's care multiple times, and the coroner told Ms Shemirani the inquest is trying to look at 'how Paloma came about her death' but 'you are apparently trying to get information which is incorrect, factually incorrect, in the statements you are making'. 'I think your questions are just designed to take up time and delay matters by the way you're asking them repeatedly,' she added. The mother accused participants of mis-pronouncing her name, which eventually led Ms Wood to say: 'I am going to rise, for Ms Shemirani to reflect on her behaviour in court, this is unacceptable. 'Let's have a pause for tempers to die down because you are clearly becoming over-fixated on a detail.' At the opening of the hearing Ms Shemirani made an application for a lawyer to recuse herself. The coroner rejected the application and said had seen the 'hundreds of emails that have been sent in' and that 'you have requested that everybody recuse themselves at various times', including the coroner herself.
