Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. It usually affects the nose and throat and causes a bad sore throat, swollen glands, fever and chills. But if it is not properly diagnosed and treated it produces a poison in the body that can cause serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis.

The diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccine can prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Adults should get another dose, or booster, every 10 years. Diphtheria is very rare in the United States because of the vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diphtheria on Wikipedia

'''Diphtheria''' is an upper respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent membrane of the tonsil(s), pharynx, and/or nose. A milder form of diphtheria can be limited to the skin. It is caused by ''Corynebacterium diphtheriae'', an aerobic Gram-positive bacterium. Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the secretions of those infected. Diphtheria was once quite common, but has now largely been eradicated in developed nations (in the United States for instance, there have been fewer than 5 cases a year reported since 1980, as the DPT vaccine (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) vaccine is given to all school children). Boosters of the vaccine are recommended for adults because the benefits of the vaccine decrease with age; they are particularly recommended for those travelling to areas where the disease has not been eradicated yet.

Signs and symptoms

The respiratory form has an incubation time of 1-4 days. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, a mild sore throat and problems swallowing. Children infected have symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, chills, and a high fever, although some do not show symptoms until the infection has progressed further. Low blood pressure may develop in some patients. Longer-term effects include cardiomyopathy and peripheral neuropathy (sensory type)[http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromuscular/nother/toxic.htm#diphtheria].

Diagnosis

Laboratory criteria

* Isolation of ''Corynebacterium diphtheriae'' from a clinical specimen, or * Histopathologic diagnosis of diphtheria

Case classification

* Probable: a clinically compatible case that is not laboratory confirmed and is not epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case * Confirmed: a clinically compatible case that is either laboratory confirmed or epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case Empirical treatment ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Diphtheria - The official homepage of the band that placed Cyprus on the Heavy Metal map.

Desperate Houseflies - Parody of the series that features houseflies living on Diphtheria Lane. Includes episode archive and cast descriptions.

Serum Institute of India Ltd. - Manufacturers triple antigen for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, and formulations for measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B. Includes overview of research, quality assurance, other products, and branches throughout the country.

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines - Manufactures pediatric, adult and clinical vaccines for diseases including hepatitis A and B, diphtheria and tetanus. Includes product list, disease prevention guide and patient information. Manufactured in Belgium and distributed from North Carolina.

An Old Plague Coming Back to Haunt Us: Diphtheria - Approximately 1200 deaths per year have resulted from the ongoing diphtheria epidemic in the former Soviet Union which began in 1990 and is still going strong.

eMedicine: Diphtheria - Emergency MD offers a clinical report on the respiratory form of diphtheria, including risk factors, common symptoms and treatments for this infectious disease.

Diphtheria - Dr. Greene - Information on this childhood disease and immunization against it.

MedlinePlus: Diphtheria - Directory of articles, news stories, and factsheets.

MayoClinic.com : Diphtheria - Features cause, symptoms and signs, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Kidshealth: Diphtheria - Includes cause, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and prevention.