Increasing terror of Diphtheria

 As per latest report by WHO, already prevailing disease known as Diphtheria is exhibiting increased pathogenicity with severe symptoms.

Are you aware that our respiratory (breathing) system makes mucus in order to prevent its delicate lining and also for trapping dust particles so that destroying them becomes easy.

But certain bacteria have a certain mechanism of affecting these mucus producing membranes which in turn reduces our capacity to fight even normal infections. 

One such contagious bacterial infection that we are going to know about is Diphtheria

We know this name via a vaccine i.e DPT, to which we dedicatedly take our infants to get vaccinated.

Let's understand this disease

                                                              DIPHTHERIA

It is a serious contagious disease of nose and throat affecting the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.


Causative organism:- It is caused by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae which belongs to the family of Corynebacteriaceae This bacteria usually multiplies on or near the surface of skin or throat. It is an air droplet form of spread.

Signs and Symptoms:-

  • a thick grey-white coating that may cover the back of your throat, nose and tongue. 

  • a high temperature (fever) 
  • sore throat. 
  • swollen glands in your neck.




As per Centers of Disease control and Prevention, there are 5 types of diphtheria as per the area infected:-

  • Pharyngeal and Tonsillar Diphtheria- The most common sites of diphtheria infection are the pharynx and the tonsils. 
  • Laryngeal Diphtheria.-Laryngeal diphtheria can be either an extension of the pharyngeal form or can involve only this site.
  • Anterior Nasal Diphtheria.- The onset of anterior nasal diphtheria looks much like the common cold and is usually characterized by a mucopurulent nasal discharge that may become blood-tinged.
  • Cutaneous Diphtheria- Skin infections may be manifested by a scaling rash or by ulcers with clearly demarcated edges and an overlying membrane, but any chronic skin lesion may harbor C. diphtheriae along with other organisms.
  • Other- Other rare sites of involvement include the mucous membranes of the conjunctiva and vulvovaginal area, as well as the external auditory canal.

Prevention:- It can be easily prevented by the vaccine available under the name of DPT vaccine
  • Practice strict hygiene like washing hands regularly
  • Maintaining hygiene especially before handling food
  • Booster doses of immunisation
  • Routine Vaccination
    • 2 months.
    • 4 months.
    • 6 months.
    • 15 through 18 months.
    • 4 through 6 years- before school entry
Treatment:-

  • Antibiotics such as erythromycin , penicillin are given to treat the condition
  • Antitoxin is given as to counteract the toxin released by the bacteria. It is injected in the vein.
  • NOTE:- Before giving this antitoxin, skin allergy tests are done in case of any allergic reactions.

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