| > | | | | droplets (such as those produced by a cough or |
| Diphtheria is a life-threatening disorder caused by a | | | | sneeze) of an infected person or someone who |
| highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the | | | | carries the bacteria but has no symptoms. Diphtheria |
| bacterium Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. It | | | | can also be spread by contaminated objects or foods |
| usually affects the nose and throat and causes a bad | | | | (such as contaminated milk). Symptoms usually occur |
| sore throat, swollen glands, fever and chills. It is | | | | 2 to 5 days after you have come in contact with the |
| caused by a bacteria named Corynebacterium | | | | bacteria.The bacteria most commonly infects the |
| diphtheriae. But the hallmark sign is a thick, gray | | | | nose and throat. The throat infection causes a |
| covering in the back of your throat that can make | | | | gray-to-black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can |
| breathing difficult. Diphtheria can also infect your skin. | | | | block the airways. In some cases, diphtheria may first |
| Years ago, diphtheria was a leading cause of death | | | | infect the skin, producing skin lesions.Signs and |
| among children. Today, diphtheria is very rare in the | | | | Symptoms of DiphtheriaIn its early stages, diphtheria |
| United States and other developed countries thanks | | | | can be mistaken for a bad sore throat. A low-grade |
| to widespread vaccination against the disease. Fewer | | | | fever and swollen neck glands are the other early |
| than five cases occur in the United States each year, | | | | symptoms.General symptoms manifest themselves |
| but diphtheria bacteria still exist in the world and can | | | | as a slight rise in temperature, limpness and fatigue. |
| cause outbreaks if vaccination is inadequate. The | | | | In weeks two to six of the illness, damage to the |
| bacteria that cause diphtheria are usually spread in | | | | heart and nervous system may be observed in the |
| droplets of moisture coughed into the air. Usually the | | | | form of irregularities of the heart beat and paralysis. |
| bacteria multiply on or near the surface of the | | | | In the worst cases, this may cause serious |
| mucous membranes of the mouth or throat, where | | | | disturbances in cardiac rhythm, and possibly cardiac |
| they cause inflammation. Some types of | | | | arrest.Treatment for DiphtheriaThe disease may |
| Corynebacterium diphtheriae release a potent toxin, | | | | remain manageable, but in more severe cases lymph |
| which can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous | | | | nodes in the neck may swell, and breathing and |
| system. A milder form of diphtheria affects only the | | | | swallowing will be more difficult. People in this stage |
| skin and occurs mainly in adults. This form is more | | | | should seek immediate medical attention, as |
| common among people with poor hygiene (for | | | | obstruction in the throat may require intubation or a |
| example, homeless people).Diphtheria is a bacterial | | | | tracheotomy. In addition, an increase in heart rate |
| infection that affects the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, | | | | may cause cardiac arrest. Diphtheria can also cause |
| nose, and skin . It produces a thick membrane which | | | | paralysis in the eye, neck, throat, or respiratory |
| covers the area of inflammation. Children under 5 and | | | | muscles.Penicillin or erythromycin may also be given, |
| adults over 60 years old are particularly at risk for | | | | particularly to guard against complicating factors such |
| contracting the infection. People living in crowded or | | | | as pneumonia or streptococcal infection.How can |
| unclean conditions, those who aren't well nourished , | | | | diphtheria be prevented?The single most effective |
| and children and adults who don't have up-to-date | | | | control measure is maintaining the highest possible |
| immunizations are also at risk. Diphtheria is rare in the | | | | level of immunization in the community. Other |
| United States and Europe, where health officials have | | | | methods of control include prompt treatment of |
| been immunizing children against it for decades.Causes | | | | cases and a community surveillance program. |
| of DiphtheriaDiphtheria spreads through respiratory | | | | |