C-Diff (Clostridium difficile)

[Warpy]

2. I could diagnose it the minute I stepped off the elevator in the hospital.

If we're colonized with it, the other bacteria in our guts keep it in check. If we're really weakened and/or if we've been on heavy antibiotics, the good stuff is killed off and c. diff strikes. It is also highly infectious and one outbreak where I worked was traced to a hand held electronic thermometer that never got near a patient's butt. It's the most common hospital acquired disease.

Oral vancomycin and Fidaxomycin will kill it. In stubborn cases, probiotics and even stool transfers to recolonize the gut with bacteria from a healthy donor will take care of it.

If you've never smelled it, I hope your luck holds out.