What is Diphtheria? Is it a disease to be afraid of?

When we hear that your child has a fever and a sore throat, we think of something like a common cold or tonsillitis, right? But sometimes, behind such simple symptoms, there can be something more serious. Today we are going to talk about a disease like that, which is not so common now thanks to the vaccination programs in our country, but it is very important to know about it. This is diphtheria, or diphtheria. You may have heard this name, but we may not know exactly what kind of disease it is and why we should be afraid of it. Today, we will talk about it in simple terms.

Simply put, what is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection. It is caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae . When this bacteria enters our body, it mainly affects our nose and throat.

Imagine, this bacteria sticks to the walls of our throat, sits there and produces a very dangerous poison, a toxin . This poison causes the cells in the throat to die. After a while, these dead cells, bacteria, and other things accumulate and form a thick, gray film inside the throat. It's like someone has stuck a thick plaster inside the throat. This is the most dangerous symptom of this disease. This gray film makes it difficult to swallow, and it can even completely block breathing .

This poison doesn't just affect the throat. It can also enter the bloodstream and damage other parts of the body, especially the heart, nervous system, and kidneys.

Fortunately for us in Sri Lanka, this disease is now very rare due to the series of vaccinations given to children at birth. However, in some parts of the world, especially in countries where vaccination is less common, this disease is still rampant. Therefore, it is very important for us to be aware of this.

What are the main types of stone veneer?

The gallbladder can be divided into two main types. They are classified according to where they affect the body. To understand this clearly, see the table below.

What exactly are the symptoms of this disease?

When the gallbladder is infected, it usually takes two to five days for symptoms to appear. But sometimes it can take as little as one day or as long as ten days. Some people may not show any symptoms, but they can still spread the disease to others. That's a dangerous situation.

Let's clearly see what the main symptoms are.

How is this disease transmitted from person to person?

The infection of the sputum is similar to the coronavirus we now know so well, but this one is caused by a bacterium. There are three main ways it can be transmitted.

• By respiratory droplets: The bacteria can be found in tiny droplets of saliva that come out of the mouth and nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. If a healthy person breathes in that air, they can become infected.
• By touching dirty objects: Bacteria can be found on objects such as plates, cups, toys, and doorknobs that have been used by an infected person. If a healthy person touches those objects and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes with the same hand, the disease can be transmitted.
• By touching infected wounds: If a healthy person touches an open wound on someone with a skin tag, the bacteria can also enter the body.

One important thing to note is that if the vaccine is not taken correctly, a person can develop shingles more than once . This means that recovering from shingles once does not provide lifelong protection.

Who is at higher risk of developing gallstones?

There are several groups that are at higher risk of developing gallstones and the serious complications that they can cause.

• People who have not received the tetanus vaccine or its booster dose: This is the main and highest risk factor. Since the protection provided by the vaccine is not there, the bacteria can easily harm the body.
• People with weakened immune systems: This disease can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, cancer patients, and organ transplant recipients.
• Children under 5 years of age and adults over 40 years of age.
• People who live or work in crowded places: For example, people living in places like refugee camps and dormitories can easily become infected.
• People who travel to countries where cataracts are still prevalent.

The most dangerous thing - what are the possible complications?

If not treated promptly and properly, strep throat can lead to serious, life-threatening complications. This happens because toxins produced by the bacteria travel through the bloodstream and damage vital organs in the body.

• Tracheal obstruction: The grayish film that forms in the throat can completely block the airway, and even cause death from suffocation.
• Damage to the heart muscle (Myocarditis): The poison can affect the heart, disrupting the rhythm of the heartbeat, weakening the heart muscle, and even causing heart failure.
• Neuropathy: This toxin can damage the nervous system, causing conditions such as difficulty swallowing and paralysis.
• Kidney failure: The kidneys can become damaged and stop filtering waste from the body.

These complications make measles a potentially fatal disease , with some studies showing that up to 30% of people who are unvaccinated and untreated die from the disease. This risk is even higher in young children.

How does a doctor diagnose this disease?

A doctor diagnoses gallbladder disease based on your symptoms and laboratory tests.

1. Checking for symptoms: The doctor will first examine your throat carefully. Specifically, they will check for the thick, grayish coating . They will also check for swollen glands and fever.

2. Laboratory test: To confirm the disease, your doctor will use a swab to collect a small amount of fluid from the back of your throat or from a sore on your skin. The sample will then be sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of streptococcal bacteria.

How is it treated?

Treatment for shingles is done in a hospital. The patient is kept in a separate room (isolation) to prevent the disease from spreading to others. There are two main treatment methods.

1. Diphtheria Antitoxin: This is the most important treatment. This works by inactivating the toxin produced by the bacteria and accumulated in the blood. That is, this vaccine stops the toxin that has already spread throughout the body from damaging other organs.

2. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. This stops the disease from spreading further and from being transmitted from the patient to others.

Usually, the patient stops transmitting the disease to others within 48 hours of starting antibiotics. However, the full course of treatment takes about two to three weeks. It can take months for skin lesions to heal. At the end of treatment, tests are done again to make sure that the bacteria have been completely eliminated from the body.

Prevention is the best cure - the importance of vaccination

The best, easiest, and most effective way to protect yourself from this dangerous disease is to get vaccinated . The measles vaccine is highly effective. When all three doses are properly administered, it can prevent more than 87% of people from getting the disease.

Under the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka, children are given combination vaccines that protect against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. If you look at your child's health development record (CHDR), the ages at which these vaccines were given are noted.

It is important for adults to maintain this protection as well. The immunity provided by the vaccine can wane over time. Therefore, it is advisable for adults to get a booster dose at least every 10 years . If you are unsure about your vaccination details, talk to your family doctor for advice.

Any time to see a doctor

There are several situations in which you should see a doctor immediately:

• If you have questions about the tetanus vaccine.
• If you were exposed to someone who had shingles.
• If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above.
• If you develop new or unexplained symptoms.

Don't forget: If you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have difficulty breathing , don't waste time and go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). Quick treatment can save a life.

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