Diphtheria

Description

Diphtheria (dif-THEER-e-uh) is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the united States and other developed countries, thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease. However, many countries with limited health care or vaccination options to experience high rates of diphtheria.

Diphtheria can be treated with medications. But in advanced stages, diphtheria can cause damage to the heart, the kidneys and the nervous system. Even with treatment, diphtheria can be deadly, especially in children.

Symptoms

Diphtheria signs and symptoms usually begin 2 to 5 days after a person is infected. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils
  • A sore throat and hoarseness
  • Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
  • Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
  • Runny Nose
  • Fever and chills
  • Fatigue

In some people, infection with diphtheria, the causative bacterium of the causes only a mild illness or non-obvious signs and symptoms at all. Infected persons who remain aware of their illness are known as carriers of diphtheria. They are called carriers because they can transmit the infection without being sick themselves.

Skin (cutaneous) diphtheria

A second type of diphtheria can affect the skin, causing pain, redness and swelling similar to other bacterial infections of the skin. Ulcers covered by a gray membrane can also be a sign of skin of diphtheria.

Although it is more common in tropical climates, diphtheria of the skin also occurs in the united States. It may happen, especially among people with poor hygiene who live in crowded conditions.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you or your child has been exposed to someone with diphtheria. If you are not sure if your child has been vaccinated against diphtheria, schedule an appointment. Make sure your own shots are up to date.

Causes

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacterium usually multiplies in or near the surface of the throat or skin. C. diphtheriae is spread through:

  • The droplets in the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, he releases a mist of droplets that are contaminated, the people that are nearby may breathe in C. diphtheriae. Diphtheria is spread easily this way, especially in overcrowded conditions.
  • Contaminated personal or household items.People sometimes take the diphtheria of the handling of an infected person things, such as tissue paper or hand towels, which can be contaminated with the bacteria. Touching an infected wound also can transfer the diphtheria-causing bacteria.

Contaminated personal or household items. People sometimes take the diphtheria of the handling of an infected person things, such as tissue paper or hand towels, which may be contaminated with the bacteria.

Touching an infected wound also can transfer the diphtheria-causing bacteria.

The people who have been infected by the diphtheria bacteria and that have not been treated, can infect people who have not received the vaccine against diphtheria — even if you do nothave symptoms.

Risk factors

People who are at higher risk of contracting diphtheria include:

  • Children and adults who do not have immunizations up to date.
  • The people who live in unsanitary conditions or overcrowding
  • Any person who travels to an area where diphtheria infections are most common

Diphtheria is rare in the united States and Western Europe, where children have been vaccinated against the condition of decades. However, diphtheria is still common in developing countries where vaccination rates are low.

In areas where diphtheria vaccine standard, the disease is primarily a threat to the non-vaccinated or non-vaccinated people who travel internationally or have close contact with people of less developed countries.

Complications

Left untreated, diphtheria can lead to:

  • Breathing problems. Diphtheria-causing bacteria can produce a toxin. This toxin that damages the tissue in the immediate area of the infection — generally, the nose and the throat. In this site, the infection produces a hard, grey membrane, composed of dead cells, bacteria, and other substances. This membrane can obstruct breathing.
  • Damage in the heart. The diphtheria toxin can spread through the bloodstream and damaging other tissues in the body. For example, you can damage the heart muscle, which causes complications in thes of the inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). Damage in the heart of myocarditis can be mild or severe. At its worst, myocarditis can lead to heart failure and sudden death.
  • Damage to the nerves.The toxin can also cause damage to the nerves. Typical objectives are the nerves of the throat, where the poor nerve conduction can cause difficulty swallowing. The nerves of the arms and legs can also become inflamed, causing muscle weakness. If the diphtheria toxin causes damage to the nerves that help control the muscles used in breathing, these muscles may become paralyzed. At that point, you might need mechanical assistance to breathe.

Damage to the nerves. The toxin can also cause damage to the nerves. Typical objectives are the nerves of the throat, where the poor nerve conduction can cause difficulty swallowing. The nerves of anrms and legs can also become inflamed, causing muscle weakness.

If the diphtheria toxin causes damage to the nerves that help control the muscles used in breathing, these muscles can become paralyzed. At that point, you might need mechanical assistance to breathe.

With treatment, most people with diphtheria survive these complications, but the recovery is often slow. Diphtheria is fatal in around 5% to 10% of the time. Mortality rates are highest in children under 5 years of age and adults older than 40 years.

Prevention

Before antibiotics were available, diphtheria was a common disease in young children. Today, the disease is not only treatable but also preventable with a vaccine.

The diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). The three-in-a vaccine that is known as the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. The latest version of this vaccine is known as DTaP for children and the Tdap vaccine for adolescents and adults.

The diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, is one of tthat childhood vaccines that doctors in the united States recommended during breastfeeding. The vaccination consists of a series of five shots, usually given in the arm or on the thigh, which is given to children of these ages:

  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 15 to 18 months
  • 4 to 6 years

The diphtheria vaccine is effective in the prevention of diphtheria. But there may be some side effects. Some children may experience a mild fever, irritability, drowsiness, or tenderness at the injection site after DTaP vaccine. Ask your doctor what you can do for your child to minimize or alleviate these effects.

Complications are very rare. In rare cases, the DTaP vaccine causing serious but treatable complications in a child, as an allergic reaction (hives, or a rash develops within minutes of the injec- tion).

Some of the children — such as those with epilepsy or other nervous system condition — may not be able to get the DTaP vaccine.

Booster shots

After the first series of vaccines in the childhood, you need booster shots of the vaccine against diphtheria to help keep your immunity. That is because the immunity against diphtheria fades with time.

The children who received all recommended vaccines before 7 years of age should receive their first booster dose at age 11 or 12. The next booster dose of the vaccine is recommended for 10 years later, then, repeated at intervals of 10 years. The booster shots are especially important if you are travelling to an area where diphtheria is common.

The reinforcement is given as a Tdap vaccine or the diphtheria booster combined with the tetanus booster — the vaccine against tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine. This combination vaccine is given by injection, usually into the arm or thigh.

The Tdap vaccine is an alternative vaccine for adolescents 11 through 18 years and adults who have not previously had a booster dose. Also recommended once during the pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccinations.

Talk with your doctor about the vaccines and booster shots if you are not sure of your vaccination status. A Tdap vaccine may also be recommended as part of the Td series for children ages 7 through 10 that are not up-to-date with the vaccination schedule.

Diphtheria

Diagnosis

Doctors may suspect diphtheria in a sick child who has a sore throat with a gray membrane covering the tonsils and the throat. The growth of C. diphtheriae in a laboratory culture of material from the throat of the membrane confirms the diagnosis. Doctors may also take a sample of tissue from an infected wound and have it tested in a laboratory to check the type of diphtheria that affects the skin (cutaneous diphtheria).

If a doctor suspects diphtheria, treatment is started immediately, even before the results of bacteriological studies are available.

Treatment

Diphtheria is a serious disease. The doctors treat it immediately and aggressively. The doctor first, make sure that the airway is not blocked or reduced. In some cases, it may be necessary to place a breathing tube in the throat to keep the airway open until the air is less inflamed. The treatments include:

  • Antibiotics. Antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin, can help kill the bacteria in the body, cleaning up infections. Antibiotics decreases the time that someone with diphtheria is a contagious disease.
  • An antitoxin.If a doctor suspected of diphtheria, he or she is going to request a medication that counteracts the diphtheria toxin in the body. This medication comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Called an antitoxin, this medication is injected into a vein or muscle. Before giving an antitoxin, doctors can perform allergy testing skin. This is done to ensure that the infected person does not have an allergy to the antitoxin. If someone has an allergy, the doctor will probably recommend that he or she does not get the antitoxin.

An antitoxin. If a doctor suspected of diphtheria, he or she is going to request a medication that counteracts the diphtheria toxin in the body. This medication comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Called an antitoxin, this medication is injected into a vein or muscle.

Before giving an antitoxin, doctors can perform allergy testing skin. This is done to ensure that the infected person does not have allergy to the antitoxin. If someone has an allergy, the doctor will probably recommend that he or she does not get the antitoxin.

Children and adults who have diphtheria often need to be in the hospital for treatment. They may be isolated in an intensive care unit because of the diphtheria can easily spread to any person who is not vaccinated against the disease.

Preventive treatments

If you have been exposed to a person infected with the diphtheria, see a doctor for testing and treatment as possible. Your doctor can give you a recipe for antibiotics to help prevent the development of the disease. You may also need a booster dose of a vaccine against diphtheria.

The carriers of diphtheria are treated with antibiotics to cure their systems of bacteria as well.

Self-care

Recovering of the diphtheria requires a lot of bed rest. Avoid any physical effort is especially important if your heart has been affected. You may need to get your nutrition through liquids and soft foods for a while due to pain and difficulty swallowing.

Strict isolation, while you are contagious, help to prevent the spread of the infection. Careful hand washing by all the world in your home it is important to limit the spread of the infection.

Once you recover from diphtheria, you will need a full course of diphtheria vaccine to prevent a recurrence. Unlike some other infections, have diphtheria is not a guarantee of immunity for life. You can get diphtheria more than once, if you're not fully vaccinated against it.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have the symptoms of the diphtheria, or have come in contact with someone who has diphtheria, call your doctor immediately. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and your history of vaccines, you may be told to go to the emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number of medical help.

If your doctor determines that he or she must first see, try to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you to be prepared and know what to expect from your doctor.

Collection of information in advance

  • Pre-appointment restrictions. At the time of making your appointment, ask if there are any restrictions you need to follow in the time prior to your visit, including if you should be isolated to prevent the spread of the infection.
  • Visit to the office of the instructions. Ask your doctor whether you should be isolated when you come to the office for your appointment.
  • Symptom of the story. Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing, and for how long.
  • Recent exposure to possible sources of infection. Your doctor will be especially interested in knowing if you have recently traveled abroad, and where.
  • Immunization record. Find out before your appointment if their vaccines are up to date. Bring a copy of their immunization record, if possible.
  • Medical history. Make a list of your key medical information, including other conditions for which you are being treated and any medications, vitamins or supplements you are currently taking.
  • Questions to ask your doctor. Write down your questions in advance so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor.

The following list suggests questions to ask your doctor about diphtheria. Do not hesitate to ask more questions during your appointment.

  • What do you think is the cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatments are available for diphtheria?
  • There are potential side effects of the medication that is going to take?
  • How long will it take for me to get better?
  • There are long-term complications of diphtheria?
  • Am I contagious? How can I reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to other people?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • Have you had any difficulty breathing, sore throat, or difficulty swalldue?
  • Have you had a fever? How was the fever is on its peak, and how long it lasted?
  • Have you recently been exposed to someone with diphtheria?
  • Is someone close to you have similar symptoms?
  • You have recently traveled abroad? Where?
  • Does the update Iur vaccines before you travel?
  • Are all immunizations up to date?
  • Are you being treated for any other medical condition?
Symptoms and treatment of Diphtheria