Things you need to know about Diphtheria!

Have you ever had a severe sore throat, difficulty breathing, and feeling faint? Maybe your neck is swollen... These are not just symptoms of a cold. They could also be the result of this dangerous disease called Diphtheria . In the past, this was a deadly epidemic. Although it has been largely controlled thanks to vaccines, it is still important to be aware of this. So, today, let's talk about what you need to know about Diphtheria.

What exactly is diphtheria?

Simply put, diphtheria is a contagious infection . It is caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. When this bacterium enters our bodies, it produces a toxin . That toxin is what causes all the problems. This toxin causes a gray, thick coating to form in your throat. It is actually a collection of dead tissue. This makes it difficult to swallow and even makes it difficult to breathe.

Sometimes, especially in warm climates, someone with diphtheria may also develop skin sores. These sores may not heal and may become covered with a gray film. This is called cutaneous diphtheria . This condition can also occur in people who live in crowded places with poor sanitation.

Let's take a look at the history and current status of diphtheria.

In the past, that is, around the 1920s, diphtheria was a major epidemic in countries like America. Hundreds of thousands of people contracted the disease and many died. But now the situation is different . Due to the improvement in living standards and the systematic administration of the diphtheria vaccine, especially to children, this disease has been largely controlled.

However, there are other countries in the world where vaccination is not done properly. Diphtheria can still be seen in such countries. For example, in places like Asia, parts of Africa, and Eastern Europe, this disease is still present to some extent. That means we cannot be completely free from fear . Because a person can get a disease from anywhere in the world.

What are the main types of diphtheria?

There are two main types of diphtheria.

• Classical respiratory diphtheria : This is the most common type. As the name suggests, it affects the respiratory system. This means it can affect the nose, throat, tonsils, or larynx . Symptoms can vary depending on where the membrane is located. Some people also call it pharyngeal diphtheria .
• Cutaneous diphtheria : This is a bit rare. It causes skin lesions, sores, or blisters . These can appear anywhere on the body. As mentioned earlier, this type is more common in tropical countries, in poor sanitary conditions, and in crowded environments.

How do we get diphtheria?

This is a very important point. There are several main ways that diphtheria can be transmitted:

• By airborne droplets: When an infected person sneezes, coughs, or spits, tiny droplets containing bacteria are released into the air. If a healthy person breathes in that air, the disease can be transmitted.
• By touch: If a healthy person touches something contaminated with bacteria (e.g. a toy, doorknob) and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes with that hand, they can become infected.
• Through infected wounds: It can be spread if someone else touches an open wound of an infected person, or if they touch objects such as clothing worn by that person.

Also, remember, just because you've had diphtheria once, don't assume it won't happen again. It can happen again.

Who is at higher risk of developing diphtheria?

The simple answer is that anyone who is not protected by the vaccine and has close contact with someone infected with diphtheria can get the disease. That's why vaccination is so important.

Do you know what the symptoms of diphtheria are?

There are several symptoms that appear when you develop diphtheria. It is very important to be aware of these.

• Sore throat: This is the main symptom.
• Feeling tired and exhausted: You may feel so tired that you can't do anything.
• Fever: The body becomes hot and feverish.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck: Swollen like lumps in the neck.
• Difficulty breathing: The grayish film that forms in the throat blocks the nose and throat, making it difficult to breathe.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): Difficulty swallowing not only food, but even water.
• Nerve, kidney, or heart disease: The most dangerous thing is that if the toxin produced by the bacteria gets into the blood, it can damage the nervous system, kidneys, or heart.

Typically, symptoms begin to appear within two to five days of infection, but sometimes it can take anywhere from one to ten days.

What causes diphtheria?

As mentioned earlier, the main cause of this is the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium attaches to the membranes of our respiratory system (in places like the throat and nose) and produces a toxin there. This toxin causes the tissue cells of the respiratory system to die. After two to three days, this dead tissue accumulates and forms that thick, gray membrane . This membrane can block the throat, nose, tonsils, and larynx. Then it becomes very difficult to breathe and swallow.

Is diphtheria a contagious disease?

Yes, absolutely! Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease, which is why infected patients are kept isolated from others.

How does a doctor diagnose diphtheria?

Your doctor will tell you for sure whether you have diphtheria by looking at your symptoms and doing a lab test. He or she will take a swab from the back of your throat or from a sore on your skin. The swab will be sent to a lab to make a diagnosis.

What are the treatments for diphtheria?

Treatment for diphtheria begins very quickly. Sometimes, treatment begins before the lab test results are in. Because the longer it is delayed, the greater the danger.

There are two main treatment methods:

1. Diphtheria antitoxin: This is given to stop the damage to our body's organs (such as the heart and nerves) caused by the toxin produced by the bacteria.

2. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are given to fight bacterial infections. The most commonly used drugs are penicillin or erythromycin .

A person with diphtheria is kept in a separate room (isolation) to prevent the disease from spreading to others. The ability to spread the disease is greatly reduced after about 48 hours of starting antibiotics. After the treatment period is over, tests are done again to see if the bacteria are completely gone. Once the bacteria are gone, a vaccine is given to prevent diphtheria from happening again in the future.

What are the dangerous complications that can occur due to diphtheria?

Diphtheria is not a disease to be trifled with. If not treated properly, or even if treated, it can lead to long-term complications.

• Airway obstruction: The membrane that forms in the throat may make it difficult to breathe.
• Damage to the heart muscle (myocarditis): Poisoning can damage the heart muscle.
• Nerve damage (neuropathy): This can cause various nerve problems.
• Lifelessness, drowsiness.
• Paralysis: In some cases, parts of the body may become paralyzed.
• Lung infections or decreased lung function.

It is because of the potential for such dangerous conditions that we need to be so concerned about diphtheria.

Is there a way to protect yourself from diphtheria?

Absolutely yes! The best and only way is vaccination.

The Diphtheria vaccine is given to children as part of the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka. These vaccines protect against not only diphtheria but also other dangerous diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis) and tetanus (these are given as combined vaccines such as DTP, DTaP, and Tdap).

It is very important to complete the vaccination series during childhood and to receive booster shots at the appropriate times.

After the vaccine is given, you may sometimes experience a slight fever, and the injection site may become red and sore. But these are common and minor side effects. Severe allergic reactions are rare.

What can you expect if you get diphtheria?

There are treatments for diphtheria, and they are effective. But, even with treatment, about one in ten people who get diphtheria will die. Imagine, if left untreated, one in two people who get it will die. You can see how dangerous this is, right?

Therefore, the best choice is to get vaccinated and protect yourself from the disease. If you have any doubts about whether you or your children have been properly vaccinated, be sure to consult a doctor for advice.

How long does it take to recover from diphtheria?

It usually takes two to three weeks for someone with diphtheria to recover from treatment. However, if there are skin lesions (cutaneous diphtheria), they may take two to three months to fully heal. The lesions may also leave scars.

Is diphtheria a completely curable disease?

Yes. If treatment is started early, that is, as soon as symptoms appear, diphtheria can be successfully controlled and cured with antitoxin and antibiotics . However, it is even better to prevent the disease from developing altogether by getting vaccinated.

When do you need to see a doctor urgently?

You need to be very careful about these things:

• If you or someone in your family has been in close contact with someone infected with diphtheria , see a doctor immediately.
• If you are unsure whether you have received the diphtheria vaccine or not, or if your vaccinations are up-to-date , see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss this.

The back of my throat is gray. Is it diphtheria?

If you see a gray spot at the back of your throat, don't panic and think it's diphtheria. There are other reasons why gray spots may appear in your throat. For example, it can also occur in cases of a common acute throat infection (acute pharyngitis) or tonsillitis .

Therefore, if you have gray spots on your throat, the best thing to do is to see a doctor to find out the exact cause and get a treatment plan that's right for you.

Finally, the most important things we need to remember

Okay, so we've talked a lot about diphtheria. You need to remember these things:

• Diphtheria is a very serious, sometimes life-threatening disease.
• Prompt medical treatment is essential for this disease. The longer it is delayed, the greater the danger.
• Vaccination is the best and only way to protect against diphtheria.
• Always make sure that you and your children's vaccinations are up-to-date. If in doubt, see your family doctor immediately.

To stay healthy, it's very important to be aware of things like this!

` Diphtheria, sore throat, respiratory problems, vaccination, bacterial infection, infectious diseases, Corynebacterium diphtheriae