Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. It is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects mucous membranes of the nose and the throat and sometimes the skin. It is easily transmitted from one person to another. In about 3 percent of the cases, the disease might be fatal. But the good news is that it can be prevented by way of vaccines.
The United States and Europe have vaccination programs for children to prevent diphtheria. Hence there this disease is extremely rare. But in some under developed countries, children under and the elderly are at high risk of getting this disease because their immunisation rates are low.
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. It is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects mucous membranes of the nose and the throat and sometimes the skin. It is easily transmitted from one person to another. In about 3 percent of the cases, the disease might be fatal. But the good news is that it can be prevented by way of vaccines.
The United States and Europe have vaccination programs for children to prevent diphtheria. Hence there this disease is extremely rare. But in some under developed countries, children under and the elderly are at high risk of getting this disease because their immunisation rates are low.
It takes 2-5 days for symptoms to appear after the bacteria enter the human body. While few people do not experience any symptoms, some show mild symptoms, usually resembling those of common cold. Generally, symptoms include:
Diphtheria is acquired by breathing in droplets of moisture in the air containing the bacteria from an infected person’s sneezes or coughs. This infection also spreads by coming in contact with an infected person or by touching objects like chair, door knob or TV remote which have the bacteria on them.
Once the bacteria enter the human body, it mainly infects the nose and throat. It produces toxins which damage the tissues of the respiratory system. The damaged and destroyed tissues form a thick grey, white coating on the inner side of throat, nose, and tongue. This is called pseudomembrane. Since the pseudomembrane covers the tissues, breathing and swallowing become very hard for the patient.
Sometimes the toxins enter the blood stream and can cause damage to kidney, nerves, and heart.
Diphtheria is preventable by immunisation. Children need to be immunised early in their life through vaccination. The vaccine for diphtheria is called DTaP. Sometimes there are side effects of the vaccine:
On recovery from diphtheria, the patient has to take a full prescribed vaccination course. Bed rest and proper diet are very important in the recovery of diphtheria.
It takes 2-5 days for symptoms to appear after the bacteria enter the human body. While few people do not experience any symptoms, some show mild symptoms, usually resembling those of common cold. Generally, symptoms include:
Diphtheria is acquired by breathing in droplets of moisture in the air containing the bacteria from an infected person’s sneezes or coughs. This infection also spreads by coming in contact with an infected person or by touching objects like chair, door knob or TV remote which have the bacteria on them.
Once the bacteria enter the human body, it mainly infects the nose and throat. It produces toxins which damage the tissues of the respiratory system. The damaged and destroyed tissues form a thick grey, white coating on the inner side of throat, nose, and tongue. This is called pseudomembrane. Since the pseudomembrane covers the tissues, breathing and swallowing become very hard for the patient.
Sometimes the toxins enter the blood stream and can cause damage to kidney, nerves, and heart.
Diphtheria is preventable by immunisation. Children need to be immunised early in their life through vaccination. The vaccine for diphtheria is called DTaP. Sometimes there are side effects of the vaccine:
On recovery from diphtheria, the patient has to take a full prescribed vaccination course. Bed rest and proper diet are very important in the recovery of diphtheria.