Have you ever heard of a disease called diphtheria? You may have been vaccinated against it when you were a child. It is a serious and highly contagious bacterial infection. Today, we will talk about diphtheria in a simple way that you can understand. Because it is very important to be aware of things like this.
What exactly is diphtheria? Who is most likely to get it?
Simply put, diphtheria is an infection caused by a type of bacteria. It spreads very quickly, and the symptoms appear quickly. It mainly affects the nose and throat.
Just think, some people are more likely to develop this.
- For children under 5 years old
- For adults over 60 years of age
Both of these are at particular risk.
Not only that,
- People who live in crowded, unsanitary environments
- People with poor nutritional status (that is, those who do not receive adequate food and drink)
- Young children and adults who have not been properly vaccinated
These people are also at high risk of developing diphtheria.
In countries like Sri Lanka, diphtheria is very rare because children are vaccinated against it. However, in some developing countries where vaccination is not properly implemented, this disease is still common.
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
When you first get diphtheria, you may think it's just a simple sore throat . However,
- The body may feel hot, and you may feel a slight fever .
- The lymph nodes in the neck swell (we call them swollen glands, that's what it is).
These are the first signs. But because the diphtheria bacteria produce a toxin, a thick, grayish-black coating called a membrane, in the nose, throat, or respiratory tract. It's like a cotton ball. This is the main sign that distinguishes diphtheria from a common sore throat (such as strep throat). This coating can make it difficult to breathe and also make it difficult to swallow food and drink.
As the infection progresses, a person may also show symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing increases.
- Double vision.
- The speech becomes slurred.
- A state of shock can cause symptoms of ``Shock'' (i.e., pale and cold skin, rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, and a confused appearance).
What other problems can be caused by diphtheria?
Beyond the throat infection, if the aforementioned toxin gets into the bloodstream , the situation can become a bit more serious. This can affect other vital organs like the heart and kidneys, and can even cause life-threatening problems .
The possible harms from this toxin are:
- It damages the heart and reduces its ability to pump blood.
- It affects the kidneys, making it impossible to properly remove waste from the body.
- It can damage the nerves and eventually lead to conditions like paralysis.
Just think, if diphtheria is not treated properly, about 50% of patients can die. So now you probably understand how serious this is.
Can diphtheria be prevented? How?
Yes, it definitely is! Prevention of diphtheria relies almost entirely on vaccination.
The most important ones are the diphtheria/pertussis/whooping cough vaccine (DTaP vaccine) given to children and the Tdap vaccine given to young people and adults who have not been vaccinated before.
After getting one dose of Tdap, young people and adults should get a booster dose of Tdap or the diphtheria/pertussis vaccine (Td vaccine) every 10 years . Most cases of diphtheria are reported in people who have not been vaccinated at all or who have not received all the doses.
Also, the Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant mothers in the second half of every pregnancy , even if they have received the vaccine before.
The usual vaccination schedule is as follows:
- `DTaP` vaccine: at 2, 4, and 6 months.
- Booster dose: Between 12-18 months.
- Another booster dose: Between 4-6 years.
- `Tdap` vaccine: At 11-12 years.
- Then, get a Tdap or Td booster shot every 10 years to maintain protection.
- For a pregnant mother, the `Tdap` vaccine should be given in the second half of pregnancy.
Most children tolerate this vaccine well. Sometimes, minor side effects may occur. For example, redness at the injection site, a slight soreness, a slight fever, or the child being a little irritable. However, serious complications such as an allergic reaction are very rare.
Is diphtheria a contagious disease?
Yes, diphtheria is a highly contagious disease. It can be spread to others when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or laughs. It can also be spread to others by touching objects such as tissues or drinking glasses used by an infected person.
A person infected with diphtheria bacteria may not have any symptoms, but they can spread the disease to others for up to 4 weeks. The time it takes for diphtheria to show symptoms (also called the ``incubation period'') is usually 2 to 4 days. But it can sometimes be as long as 1 to 6 days.
How is diphtheria treated?
Children and adults with diphtheria are treated in a hospital. After a doctor confirms the diagnosis with a throat culture, the infected person is given a special antitoxin . This is given either by injection or intravenously (IV). This works by inactivating the diphtheria toxin that is already in the body. At the same time, antibiotics are given to kill any remaining diphtheria bacteria.
People with very severe infections may need a ventilator to help them breathe. If there is a suspicion that the toxin has spread to the heart, kidneys, or central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), patients may need IV fluids, oxygen, or heart medications.
A person with diphtheria should be isolated and kept in isolation. Other family members, close contacts, especially those who have not been vaccinated, very young children, and the elderly should be protected from contact with the patient.
When someone is diagnosed with diphtheria, the doctor notifies the local health authorities. They also treat anyone in the household who they think may have been exposed to the bacteria. This includes testing throat swabs, giving them booster doses of the diphtheria vaccine, and giving them antibiotics as a precaution.
Most people recover from diphtheria if they get treatment quickly in a hospital. After the antibiotics and antidotes start working, they will need bed rest for a while (about 4 to 6 weeks, or until they are completely healed). Bed rest is especially important if someone develops inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), a complication of diphtheria.
Even after recovery, people who have had diphtheria should receive all diphtheria vaccinations to protect themselves from getting the disease again. Having the disease once does not provide lifelong immunity.
When should I see a doctor?
If someone in your family has symptoms of diphtheria, if you see these symptoms in someone else, if someone in your family has been exposed to someone with diphtheria, or if you think you or someone in your family is at risk of developing the disease, see a doctor immediately. But remember, most throat infections are not diphtheria, especially in a country like Sri Lanka where vaccinations are well-administered.
If you're not sure if your children have been vaccinated against diphtheria, ask your doctor. Also, make sure you've received your booster shots. Studies have shown that many adults over the age of 40 are not fully protected against diphtheria and pertussis.
The most important things we want to take home from this article
Okay, so we've talked a lot about diphtheria.
The most important thing is that diphtheria is a disease that can be prevented by vaccination, but it can also be dangerous.
- Get your vaccines right: Follow your child's vaccination schedule. If you're an adult, be sure to get your booster shots as well.
- Be aware of the symptoms: If you notice an unusually thick coating in your throat along with a sore throat, or have difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- Cleanliness is important: Good hygiene practices, especially covering your mouth when sneezing and coughing, and washing your hands, help protect against many diseases.
- If in doubt, tell your doctor : Never be in doubt about an illness. It's best to talk to a doctor and get advice.
Diphtheria is a scary disease, but we can protect ourselves from it by getting vaccinated and being aware of the symptoms. If you have any more questions about this, don't hesitate to ask a doctor.
` Diphtheria, vaccine, infectious disease, throat infection, bacteria, treatment, Diphtheria
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