DIPHTHERIA

About

• It is a fatal bacterial infection known to affect the mucous of the nose and throat and even the skin.
• The bacterial toxin damages the tissues in the mucous and organs of the body.

Causative agent

• Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Symptoms

• A thick, grey membrane covers the throat and tonsils of humans, which makes breathing and swallowing difficult. Other symptoms may be:
  • • Swollen glands in the neck
    • Fever and chills
    • Nasal discharge
    • Sore throat and hoarseness
    • Cough and wheezing
    • Tiredness
• Some people may show mild or no symptoms at all.
• It may cause ulcers in the skin identified by a grey membrane, redness, swelling, and pain in the skin. 

In case of no treatment or delay in treatment 

• The toxin produced by the bacteria will affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, and blood cells.
• Myocarditis will be caused. It is the inflammation of the heart muscle leading to abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, and death.
• Peripheral neuropathy or damage to the nerves can cause paralysis of the limbs, eye muscles, and diaphragm (the muscle in the lungs that helps breathing). This might lead to respiratory failure.Proteinuria or protein in the urine might be caused leading to kidney failure, and death.
• Children under 5 years old and adults over 60 years old are highly vulnerable to dying from severe diphtheria if they are not treated on time.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent diphtheria is vaccination.

The diphtheria vaccine is often given in combination with other vaccines, such as tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and inactivated polio.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a total of six doses of the diphtheria vaccine, starting at six weeks of age and continuing through adolescence.

Treatment

Antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin are used to treat diphtheria.

While antitoxin stops the toxin from doing more harm, antibiotics destroy the bacterium that causes diphtheria.

The recommended antibiotics for treating diphtheria are erythromycin or penicillin G. 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Diphtheria: 

1. It is a fatal bacterial infection.
2. Peripheral neuropathy or the damage to the nerves is one of its symptoms.
3. There is no vaccine available against it.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C. All Three

D.None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 

• It is a fatal bacterial infection known to affect the mucous of the nose and throat and even the skin.
• The bacterial toxin damages the tissues in the mucous and organs of the body.

Statement 2 is correct: 

• The toxin produced by the bacteria will affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, and blood cells.
• Myocarditis will be caused. It is the inflammation of the heart muscle leading to abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, and death.
• Peripheral neuropathy or the damage to the nerves  can cause paralysis of the limbs, eye muscles, and diaphragm (the muscle in the lungs that helps breathing). This might lead to respiratory failure.

Statement 3 is incorrect: 

The most effective way to prevent diphtheria is to get vaccinated. The diphtheria vaccine is often given in combination with other vaccines, such as tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and inactivated polio.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a total of six doses of the diphtheria vaccine, starting at six weeks of age and continuing through adolescence.