Both of these infections are very much in the news just now and are similar in some ways.
MRSA is a bug which can live on the skin and lining of the nose and mouth without any ill effect and does so, on about one third of healthy people. It becomes a problem when it enters the body via a cut or abrasion. This can cause an infection at the site and can spread into the body causing, for example, blood poisoning. It has to be treated with special types of antibiotics, as it is resistant to Methicillin, which is the basis of many usual antibiotics.
C Diff is a bug which can live in the gut without causing any ill effect and does so in about one in 33 healthy people. It becomes a problem when poorly patients are treated with antibiotics (for example, following surgery to prevent infection) and C Diff then takes hold as other bacteria have been killed off by the antibiotics. It causes diarrhoea and inflammation of the bowel. It too can be treated with special antibiotics together with the introduction of good bacteria into the gut.
Both bugs are not air borne but spread through direct contact with the infection and can be carried unknowingly by many people. To prevent the spread of infection, basic hygiene is of the utmost importance which means anyone, but particularly those in a hospital environment (visitors, workers, patients), must wash their hands thoroughly before and after any physical contact. Washing and cleaning of all equipment is also crucial to prevent infection.
As to your infection, if it was MRSA you should have been told this and treated with the appropriate drugs, and if it was C Diff you would probably have suffered symptoms as described above. I would advise you contact your GP for a definite diagnosis.
