C diff infection is not rare. Where did you read that? My city ran an article in the paper about how they had thousands of cases of it in a few years within the area hospital. It’s a widespread problem everywhere. The UK currently tracks infection rates but the US doesn’t yet, which I’m upset about because I think hospitals with high infection rates need to be penalized. Everyday that I’m at work, on certain floors, there is always at least one person with a confirmed case. There are many more who aren’t confirmed. I remember when I began working in the hospital, we had 5–6 confirmed cases on one unit. It was awful. Sadly, I still see that sometimes.
Most people do have the bacteria in their gut in tiny amounts. You really don’t now unless you actually get sick but it’s probably already in there in tiny, normal amounts. But even a week of heavy duty antibiotics (like your experience) in a normal, usually healthy person like you isn’t going to put you at a huge risk. I’m talking being geriatric or having a weakened system, and I’m talking weeks of continual on-off antibiotic use, usually different antibiotics, for hell knows what. IVs, oral, you name it.
You wouldn’t believe the laundry list of medications…
But yeah, the typical jelly is not at risk. Even with a lot of antibiotics.
And you are right, if you had West Nile, you wouldn’t know because it seems like a cold to healthy people. Only babies and old folks have to worry about that.