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Diphtheria - symptom, Treatment of Diphtheria

Diphtheria Information

Diphtheria is a localized infection of the respiratory tract. Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium corynebacterium. Like many other upper respiratory diseases, diphtheria is most likely to break out during the winter months. Years ago, diphtheria was a leading cause of death among children. Today, diphtheria is rare in the United States and other developed countries thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease. The best known and most widely studied species is Corynebacterium diphtheriae , the causal agent of the disease diphtheria.In the United States, diphtheria was common, occurring primarily in children, and was one of the leading causes of death in infants and children. When diphtheria immunization became widespread in the late 1940's, a more rapid decrease in the number of cases and deaths occurred. It is vital to seek medical help at once when diphtheria is suspected, because treatment requires emergency measures for adults as well as children. People get diphtheria by breathing in diphtheria bacteria after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. People also get diphtheria from close contact with discharges from an infected person's mouth, nose, throat, or skin.

The symptoms of diphtheria are caused by toxins produced by the diphtheria bacillus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Medications are available to treat diphtheria. However, in advanced stages, diphtheria can cause damage to your heart, kidneys and nervous system. Nearly one out of every 10 people who get diphtheria die of it. Pharyngeal diphtheria gets its name from the pharynx, which is the part of the upper throat that connects the mouth and nasal passages with the voice box. Acquired immunity to diphtheria is due primarily to toxin-neutralizing antibody (antitoxin). Passive immunity in utero is acquired transplacentally and can last at most 1 or 2 years after birth. Diphtheria is a serious disease requiring hospital treatment in an intensive care unit if the patient has developed respiratory symptoms. If diphtheria is not properly treated, or not treated in time, the bacteria can produce a powerful toxin (poison). This poison can spread through the body and cause serious, often life-threatening complications.

Diphtheria symptoms

After the incubattion period of 2-5 days with mild respiratory comlaints

• fever 101 - 102 degree F
• neck and throat pain
• difficulty in swallowing as the throat is infalmed and a flase membrane forms
• hoarsness of voice and difficulty in speaking
• if the infection incolves the larynx, difficulty in breathing may set in rapidly.

Cause of Diphtheria

C. diphtheriate spreads through close contact and droplet infection. It affects the respiratory tract, forming a membrane over the tonsil and throat. The bacterium makes that can affect the heart and nervous and causes a fatal respiratory paralysis. Before immunization became routine, Diphtheria was a killer disease.

Treatment of Diphtheria

Diphtheria's severity depends on the delay between onset of illness and treatment with Diphtheria antitoxin. As most of the complications are caused by the toxin, anitoxin is prescribed as soon as the diagnosis of Diphtheria is made.

Immunization is with Diphtheria toxoid (DPT).

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