Diphtheria Infection

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a highly infectious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Causes and Transmission

• Caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria
• Transmission occurs through:
  • Respiratory droplets from an infected person
  • Contaminated food and water
  • Direct contact with infected wounds or skin lesions

Symptoms

• Incubation period: 2-5 days
• Initial symptoms:
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Advanced symptoms:
  • Thick, grayish-white membrane forms on the tonsils, throat, and nasal passages (pseudomembrane)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Swollen, painful neck glands

Complications

• Respiratory complications:
  • Airway obstruction
  • Respiratory failure
• Cardiac complications:
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
• Neurological complications:
  • Polyneuropathy (nerve damage)

Diagnosis

• Confirmed through:
  • Bacterial culture of the throat or skin lesion
  • PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test

Treatment

• Antibiotics (erythromycin or penicillin) to eliminate the bacteria
• Antitoxin to neutralize the toxin produced by the bacteria
• Supportive care:
  • Rest
  • Fluid replacement
  • Pain relief

Prevention

• Vaccination: DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine
• Good hygiene practices:
  • Washing hands regularly
  • Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

What is Diphtheria?

• Highly infectious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Causes and Transmission

• Caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria.
• Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets from an infected person, contaminated food and water, and direct contact with infected wounds or skin lesions.

Symptoms

• Incubation period: 2-5 days.
• Initial symptoms: sore throat, fever, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck.
• Advanced symptoms: thick, grayish-white membrane forms on the tonsils, throat, and nasal passages, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and swollen, painful neck glands.

Complications

• Respiratory complications: airway obstruction and respiratory failure.
• Cardiac complications: myocarditis and cardiac arrhythmias.
• Neurological complications: polyneuropathy.

Diagnosis

• Confirmed through bacterial culture of the throat or skin lesion, and PCR test.

Treatment

• Antibiotics (erythromycin or penicillin) to eliminate the bacteria.
• Antitoxin to neutralize the toxin produced by the bacteria.
• Supportive care: rest, fluid replacement, and pain relief.

Prevention

• Vaccination: DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine.
• Good hygiene practices: washing hands regularly, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Learn about the causes, transmission, and symptoms of diphtheria, a highly infectious and life-threatening bacterial infection.