Health officials in the Valley, and across the nation, are preparing for a new medical superbug that could become the country's next big public health threat.

The Centers for Disease Control website says several states have reported increased rates of clostridium difficile-associated disease, noting more severe disease and an increased number in deaths.

Meanwhile, the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix is taking precautions now.

Claire Kioski, an infection control specialist, says "Any antibiotics you've taken can trigger these organisms to start producing the toxin. So it doesn't matter if I had a prescription or not a prescription, any of them can trigger it."

"And that's one reason we do think that we have an increase because there have been a lot of inappropriate use of antibiotics in the patients," Kioski said.

Some people have been self-medicating, using old anti-biotics, or new ones purchased over the border to treat illnesses.

But it's not helping the problem; it could take two or three months for C. difficile to manifest itself.

One of the symptoms is diarrhea.

Some facts about C. difficile to remember.

* always wash your hands with soap after going to the bathroom

* do not use hand sanitizer

* and if you're at risk for C. difficile, if someone in your home has been diagnosed the disease, follow the directions on a good disinfectant or spray bleach; let the spray sit for several minutes before wiping dry

A state health department spokesperson said this "emerging disease...is life threatening".

It is enough of a threat that the department is working with the University of Arizona to do limited surveillance of the disease, which comes from the same family as botulism and tetanus.