Diphtheria

General Information on Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, in the nose and throat area. Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium called Corynedbacterium diphtheriae. These bacteria are spread through moisture droplets in the air; usually present when some one who already has diphtheria coughs the droplets in the air. Diphtheria is very contagious and is fatal about ten percent of the time. Fortunately, diphtheria is rare in developed countries due to the fact that a vaccine is available for it. After being exposed to the bacteria that causes diphtheria, symptoms begin abruptly about one to four days later. Diphtheria causes some typical symptoms such as a sore throat, a fever, and weakness, but its main characteristic symptom is a gray tough coating in the back of the throat that can make it difficult to breathe and can detach from the throat and block the air passageways completely.

Symptoms of Diphtheria

Some of the symptoms of diphtheria may be:

Gray tough coating in the back of the throat
Difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Fever
Chills
Weakness
Malaise
Nausea
Vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Headache
Increased heart rate
Swollen lymph nodes
Heart failure

Treatments For Diphtheria

The treatment for diphtheria is first hospitalization. Once there, doctors may give the patient antibiotics such as penicillin to kill the diphtheria bacteria. Doctors may also try and neutralized the toxins created by the diphtheria by giving the patients diphtheria antibodies. The recovery from diphtheria is long and slow. It is important to not resume even the smallest activities due to the fact that it could cause harm to an inflamed heart.

Personal Experience

Diphtheria - personal experiences