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Diphtheria is an infectious disease
caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily infects the
throat and upper airways and produces a toxin affecting other organs.
Symptoms of Diphtheria:
The illness has an acute onset and the main characteristics are sore throat, low
fever and swollen glands in the neck, and the toxin may, in severe cases, cause
myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy.
The symptoms of diphtheria usually begin two to seven days after infection.
Symptoms of diphtheria include fever of 38 C (100.4 F) or above, chills,fatigue,
bluish skin coloration (cyanosis), sore throat, hoarseness,cough, headache,
difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, difficulty breathing, rapid
breathing, foul-smelling and bloodstained nasal discharge, andlymphadenopathy.
Within two to three days, diphtheria may destroy healthy tissues in the
respiratory system. The dead tissue forms a thick, gray coating that can build
up in the throat or nose. This thick gray coating is called a "pseudomembrane."
It can cover tissues in the nose, tonsils, voice box, and throat, making it very
hard to breathe and swallow.
Symptoms can also include cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, and cranial and
peripheral nerve palsies.
Transmission:
The diphtheria toxin causes a membrane of dead tissue to build up over the
throat and tonsils, making breathing and swallowing difficult. The disease is
spread through direct physical contact or from breathing in the aerosolized
secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals.
Human-to-human transmission of diphtheria typically occurs through the air when
an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Breathing in particles released from
the infected individual leads to infection. Contact with any lesions on the skin
can also lead to transmission of diphtheria, but this is uncommon.
Indirect infections can occur, as well. If an infected individual touches a
surface or object, the bacteria can be left behind and remain viable. Also, some
evidence indicates diphtheria has the potential to be zoonotic, but this has yet
to be confirmed. Corynebacterium ulcerans has been found in some animals, which
would suggest zoonotic potential.
Risk Factors:
The disease may remain manageable, but in more severe cases, lymph nodes in the
neck may swell, and breathing and swallowing become more difficult. People in
this stage should seek immediate medical attention, as obstruction in the throat
may requireintubation or a tracheotomy. Abnormal cardiac rhythms can occur early
in the course of the illness or weeks later, and can lead to heart failure.
Prevention
DPT vaccination is given to immunize babies against Diphtheria as well as
pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. The vaccine is administered as three
dosages within 6 months and a booster at 18 months and at 4-6 years of age.
Immunization Chart
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