What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a infectious disease caused by the toxin of the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The infection can occur at the level of the upper respiratory tract, with the appearance of localized lesions on the tonsils, larynx, nose, and also on the skin.
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
The most common symptoms of the disease are:
- mild fever
- tiredness/malaise
- sore throat
- inflamed lymph nodes in the neck
When the infection occurs at the level of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, the following may also occur:
- thick, grayish lining (pseudomenbrane) on mucous membranes
- swelling of the lymph nodes around the neck
- difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness or stridor
- difficulty breathing
Less commonly, in addition to skin infection, infection of the nervous system, kidneys and heart (myocarditis) can also occur.
How is diphtheria transmitted?
Person-to-person transmission occurs through:
- Direct contact with:
-
droplets
- of saliva transmitted by sneezing or coughing
- open wounds/ulcers
- indirect contact with objects contaminated by the bacterium (less frequent)
What is the incubation period for diphtheria?
The incubation period is, on average, 2 to 5 days, and can be longer (1 to 10 days).
What is the contagion period?
The period of contagion in people with untreated diphtheria can last up to 4 weeks.
How is diphtheria diagnosed?
Diagnosis may include testing throat secretions and skin lesions.
Is it possible to prevent this disease?
yes. The diphtheria vaccine is the main way to prevent the disease. The National Vaccination Program includes a vaccine that should be administered at 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 5, 10, 25, 45, 65 years and then every 10 years. Pregnant women should get a vaccine.
What are the main complications of the disease?
The most serious complications of diphtheria include:
- airway obstruction (by the formation of a membrane in the throat or aspiration of this membrane)
- heart and kidney failure
- inflammation of the nerves
- paralysis of the swallowing muscles (swallowing)
- pneumonia
- death
What is the treatment for diphtheria?
As soon as the infection is detected, the patient should be isolated and started on medication.
My son has diphtheria. Should you avoid going to school?
yes. Children diagnosed with diphtheria should avoid going to school until they have two negative nasal and pharyngeal exudate tests, taken at least 24 hours apart and after 24 hours of discontinuation of antimicrobial treatment.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)