What is diphtheria ?

It is  a bacterial infection that causes fever, weakness, and a sore throat. Diptheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease may also affect  the eye , skin and genital .

In what ways can I get diphtheria ?

The bacteria that causes diphtheria  Corynebacterium diphtheriae  multiples in the mucous membrane of the throat. The bacteria can spread  when an infected person talks ,sneezes or coughs and releases droplets into the environment. High risk individuals get the disease by inhaling these droplets. You can also get diphtheria by touching contaminated material and sharing household items like towels . The bacteria then  produces  toxins which can travel through your blood stream and affect organs like the heart . A thick, gray coating develops in the back of the throat which makes breathing and swallowing difficult and may result suffocation.

Am I at risk ?

These factors increase your risk :

• people with weak immune system
• lack of immunization
• living in crowded unsanitary conditions
• travelling to areas with high incidence of diphtheria

Are there any sign that may indicate I have diphtheria ?

Some people may not show symptoms at all and other may have mild symptoms. If symptoms do show however, they include :

• fever and chills
• bloody watery drainage from the nose
• hoarseness of voice
• skin lesion
• difficulty breathing
• painful swallowing
• sore throat that may be mild
• slurred speech
• double vision
• thick, gray membrane covering your throat and tonsils
• enlarged lymph nodes

Are there are treatment options available ?

Treatment for this disease requires hospitalization. Patients may be given  supportive care such as oxygen,fluids by IV, heart monitoring and insertion of breathing tube

You may receive the Diphtheria antitoxin . It may be given as a shot in the muscle or through IV. It works best when diphtheria is in the early stages.  It neutralizes circulating  diphtheria toxins and reduces the progression of the disease

Antibiotics such as penicillin or erythromycin are also given to clear or kill the infection.

Your doctor may also clear the thick grey covering in the throat to making breathing easier.

Can I protect myself from the disease ?

The DTaP vaccine protects your child against  diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping-cough.  This vaccine is given at these recommended ages

•  2 months
•  4 months
•  6 months
• Between 15 and 18 months . it can be given as early as 12 months as long as it’s at least six months after the previous shot.
• between 4 and 6 years old
• a booster shot at 11 or 12 years of age (called the Tdap)

 
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