Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile infections usually go away on their own without even being noticed. When a C. diff infection does become symptomatic, research has shown that 1 in 5 infections will resolve without medications.

How long does it take to fully recover from C. diff?

C. diff infections usually respond well to treatment, with most people making a full recovery in a week or 2. But the symptoms come back in around 1 in 5 cases and treatment may need to be repeated.

Does C. diff stay in your system forever?

No, because once you recover from your C. diff infection, you could still be carrying the germs. A test would only show the germs are still there, but not whether you're likely to become sick again.