A recent study has revealed that many hospital patients unknowingly carry a dangerous gut bacterium, Clostridioides difficile, which can lead to severe infections and even life-threatening illness. The research, based on data from over 33,000 hospital stays, found that silent carriers of the bacterium are at a much higher risk of developing serious infections, regardless of antibiotic use. Certain antibiotics, especially when used repeatedly or for long periods, further increase this risk, along with factors such as advanced age and chronic health conditions.

In India, experts warn that the problem is underestimated and underdiagnosed, with routine screening rarely practised. This leaves a hidden reservoir of infection that can spread among vulnerable patients. Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics disrupts the balance of protective gut bacteria, giving Clostridioides difficile room to multiply. Strengthening hospital prevention measures, including timely testing, hand hygiene, and isolation protocols, is crucial to controlling the spread. Low-cost options like probiotics may also help, but experts caution that the infection is often mistaken for other common causes of diarrhoea, leading to missed cases.