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Opioids and higher risk of C. diff infection — Level A1 — a close up of a blood cell with red blood cells

Opioids and higher risk of C. diff infectionCEFR A1

14 Dec 2025

LevelA1
A2
B1
B2

Adapted from Sydney Barrilleaux - U. Georgia, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by CDC, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
84 words
  • Opioids may increase the chance of getting C. diff.
  • C. diff is a very contagious gut bacterium.
  • It infects the colon and causes severe diarrhea.
  • People often have nausea, cramps and vomiting too.
  • It can spread easily between people in close contact.
  • Some infections are severe and can be deadly.
  • Older or sick people have a higher risk.
  • Doctors should weigh the benefits and the harms.
  • Decisions about opioids must be made case by case.
  • Hospitalized patients may have a greater chance of infection.

Difficult words

  • opioid — a strong pain medicine from a drug group
    Opioids
  • contagious — can spread from one person to another
  • bacterium — a single very small living germ
  • colon — the part of the body that stores waste
  • diarrhea — very loose and wet bowel movements
  • infection — when germs get into the body and grow
    infections
  • weigh — to think carefully about good and bad

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Have you ever had diarrhea or vomiting?
  • Do you wash your hands to stop germs?

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