Diphtheria is an infection caused by Cornybacterium diptheriae bacterium. This bacteria gets into and attaches to the lining of the respiratory system and produces a poison/toxin that destroys healthy tissues in the respiratory system.
Why is Diphtheria important to public health? In the past, Diphtheria was a major cause of illness and death among children within the United States. Before there was a treatment for Diphtheria, nearly 50% of those infected with the bacteria died from it. Since the 1920's, the incidence of Diphtheria within the U.S. has decreased significantly, with less than 5 people reported to the Center for Disease Control as infected in the past decade. However, if we were to stop vaccinations for Diphtheria, it is likely that the illness would once again become an epidemic in the United States. When traveling, it is important to research if the country you are visiting has high prevalence of Diphtheria. Many countries don't provide immunizations for Diphtheria, and therefore still face outbreaks of widespread infection. Even if vaccinated, Diphtheria is extremely contagious and you are still at risk of infection with close contact to a diseased individual.
How Diphtheria attacks the body
Signs and Symptoms
The incubation period for Diptheria is an average of 2-5 days.
Main symptoms include weakness, sore throat, fever, and swollen glands in the neck. Frequently, a grey or white coating developed in the patient's nose or throat. This coating, called a pseudomembrane, is due to the build up of dead tissue. This pseudomembrane can eventually cover the voice box, nose, throat, and tonsils completely, causing breathing and swallowing difficulties as well as hoarseness and a barking cough. The swelling of the neck, seen below, is often referred to as a "bull neck".
As symptoms progress one can often develop bluish skin, excess drooling, changes in vision, slurred speech, and signs of shock such as pale, cold skin, sweating, and an increased heart rate.
It is also possible to develop Cutanious Diphtheria, a diphtehria infection on the skin. The can cause ulcers and reddness on the area of skin that is affected. e
Transmission
Diphtheria is an extremely contagious illness spread through person to person contact. This most frequently occurs through direct transmission of respiratory droplets, like when coughing and sneezing. Indirect transmission is also possible if one comes in contact with an object that has the Diphtheria bacteria on it. It is rare for someone to become infected by touching open sores or clothes that touched the open sores of a Diphtheria patient.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis For a doctor to diagnose Diphtheria, they will check for swollen lymph nodes and a grey or white coating on your throat or tonsils. If this is present, it is most common the doctor will start treatment immediatly. A sample of the infected tissue will be taken to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment The first part of Diphtheria treatment is an injection of an antitoxin to conteract the toxin that is produced by the bacteria. An antibiotic, such as erythromycin and penicillin is also prescribed. It is fairly common for the patient to stay in a hospital during treatment to prevent the spread of infection to others. After the first administration of antibiotics, the patient is usually only contagious for 48 more hours.