Which cleaning measure is recommended to prevent spread of Clostridioides difficile?

Which cleaning measure is recommended to prevent spread of Clostridioides difficile?

• A. Wash hands with soap and water
• B. Use standard household disinfectant
• C. Use alcohol-based sanitizer
• D. Clean bathroom with diluted bleach solution

Answer: (D)

Clostridioides difficile spreads mainly through hardy spores that cling to surfaces. These spores can survive many cleaners, so preventing transmission requires a disinfectant that is sporicidal. A diluted bleach solution provides that sporicidal activity and, when used with appropriate contact time, can inactivate C. difficile spores on surfaces such as bathrooms. This is why cleaning bathrooms with a diluted bleach solution is recommended. In contrast, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill spores, and standard household disinfectants may not be effective against them. Hand washing with soap and water is still important for removing spores from hands, but for environmental cleaning to prevent spread, a diluted bleach solution is the best measure.

Clostridioides difficile spreads mainly through hardy spores that cling to surfaces. These spores can survive many cleaners, so preventing transmission requires a disinfectant that is sporicidal. A diluted bleach solution provides that sporicidal activity and, when used with appropriate contact time, can inactivate C. difficile spores on surfaces such as bathrooms. This is why cleaning bathrooms with a diluted bleach solution is recommended. In contrast, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill spores, and standard household disinfectants may not be effective against them. Hand washing with soap and water is still important for removing spores from hands, but for environmental cleaning to prevent spread, a diluted bleach solution is the best measure.