<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" There has been a drop in the number of patients infected with the healthcare associated infection Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), latest figures show. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed an 11 per cent fall in infections in patients aged 65 and over, with 6,257 cases recorded between October and December 2008 compared with 7,062 during the previous quarter. Since 2007, C. difficile infections have fallen by 38 per cent in this age group and an HPA spokesperson praised the efforts of staff. However, the spokesperson noted: &amp;#039;To see ongoing reductions and to win the fight against C. difficile we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball; winning the fight will only happen with continued dedication and hard work.&amp;#039; Up to three per cent of healthy adults and two thirds of infants carry C. difficile in their digestive system, where it rarely causes problems. However, elderly people and those who have been treated with certain antibiotics are at risk as the bacteria can multiply rapidly and produce toxins, causing diarrhoea and inflammation of the bowel. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a18005/figures-show-fall-in-c-diff-infections/>