Diphtheria: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Preventions

Diphtheria is a severe transmissible disease which is infected by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. The diphtheria bacillus was first discovered and identified by German bacteriologists Edwin Klebs and Friedrich Löffler. Diphtheria causes inflammation in the throat and causes difficulty in breathing and also while swallowing the food. Diphtheria is now rare in developed countries like America. Although there are still outbreaks of Diphtheria reported in some countries. It occurs in the temperate regions, most commonly during the colder months affecting children below the age of 10.

Key Terms: Diphtheria, Respiratory Disease, Immunization, Bacteria, Sore Throat, Fatigue, Chronic Illness, Cutaneous Diphtheria, Nasal Diphtheria

---

What is Diphtheria?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Diphtheria is a contagious chronic illness which can be prevented by vaccines. It is infected by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. It infects our nose and throat by depositing thick grey colour mucus on the upper side of the throat which causes difficulty in breathing and swallowing. If it is not treated earlier it can cause severe complications in health which would be fatal.

Diphtheria

---

Types of Diphtheria

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

There are different types of diphtheria:

• Respiratory Diphtheria: Respiratory diphtheria causes sore throat with mild fever. The greyish mucous membrane is attached to the tonsils, pharynx, or nose.
• Cutaneous Diphtheria: Cutaneous diphtheria is a rare type of diphtheria which affects the skin and it is comparatively more contagious than respiratory diphtheria. Skin wounds are rashes, and blisters which occur anywhere on the body. The skin infection is treated by cleansing with soap and water and antibiotics.
• Malignant Diphtheria: Malignant diphtheria is also called hypertoxic diphtheria or diphtheria gravis. It is a severe form of diphtheria which is often fatal. Persons with malignant diphtheria develop severe bleeding problems and kidney failure
• Nasal Diphtheria: Nasal diphtheria is a mild but chronic illness. It is characterized by a nasal discharge which starts out clear but later becomes blood-stained.
• Laryngeal Diphtheria: Laryngeal diphtheria occurs usually when the infection spreads in a downward direction from the nasopharynx to the larynx then the airway becomes blocked and it must be restored by putting in a tube or cutting an opening in the trachea (tracheotomy).

Read More: Acute and Chronic Diseases

---

Causes of Diphtheria

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Diphtheria bacteria transmit from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. One can also get sick or infected from touching infected open sores or ulcers.

Read More: Mouth Cancer (Oral Cancer)

---

Symptoms of Diphtheria

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Symptoms of diphtheria depend on which body part is affected. Usually, the respiratory tract is infected. The diphtheria bacilli when enters the respiratory tract propagates and forms a layer of thick greyish mucus which gets built up in the nose, mouth, pharynx, and tonsil. This greyish mucous is called “pseudomembrane” which is composed of bacteria, dead cells and fibrin. This makes it difficult to swallow or breathe.

Symptoms of respiratory infection are:

• Fatigue
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Mild fever
• Swollen glands in the neck

Diphtheria bacilli also infect skin causing open sores or ulcers. However, skin infections are very rare. 

Read More: Human Respiratory System

---

Treatment of Diphtheria

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Treatment of diphtheria broadly involves antitoxin and antibiotic treatment.

• Antitoxins: It is the first injection given to a patient with a respiratory infection. It neutralizes the toxin made by the bacilli Corynebacterium diphtheria.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotic like erythromycin and penicillin is given to the patients to kill the bacteria and is used for both respiratory and skin infections. Patients treated with antibiotics cannot infect another person after 48 hours of the treatment.
• It is advisable to stay in the hospital or in an isolated room while the treatment is going on to prevent any further infections to another person.

Diphtheria Antitoxin

Read More: Respiratory System Disorders

---

Preventions for Diphtheria

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

To prevent the bacteria from making toxins our body must have antitoxins already present to prevent it. A vaccine is a necessary precaution.

There are 4 vaccines for Diphtheria which are as follows:

• DTaP: Used against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• DT: Used against diphtheria and tetanus.
• Tdap: Used against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• Td: Used against diphtheria and tetanus.

Infants should be immunized by doses of DTaP at the age of

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15 – 18 months
• 4 – 6 years

Children between the age of 11 to 13 years should get Tdap. While adults should be immunized by Tdap or Td after every 10 years.

Read More: Human Bacterial Diseases

---

Things to Remember

• Diphtheria is a contagious chronic disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria.
• Diphtheria can also be caused by indirect infection. If an infected person touches a surface or object, the bacteria left behind remains viable for a certain period of time.
• Respiratory diphtheria can cause severe breathing problems, blood disorders, heart failure, paralysis, coma and even death.
• Complications may include myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney failures, bleeding problems and paralysis.
• Before 1826, diphtheria was called by different names across the world. In England, it was known as Boulogne sore throat.

Also Read:

---