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Diphtheria
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| DIPHTHERIA |
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About the Disease
Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that is passed from person to person through the air. It usually affects the tonsils, throat, nose and/or skin.
In the 1930s, diphtheria was among the top three causes of death for children in England and Wales under 15 years of age. Today, the disease is rare or extremely rare among developed nations. | | | |
| AT A GLANCE |
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What it is: Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Its symptoms may look like those of a common cold. It can be fatal. |
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Transmission: Diphtheria is spread person-to-person through the air. It can also be spread by drinking after an infected person or even by handling tissues an infected person has used. |
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Symptoms: Diphtheria's symptoms look like those of the common cold or a severe sore throat. Other symptoms may involve enlarged lymph nodes and a low-grade fever. Those infected may find blood in their mucous when they blow their noses.
The disease can lead to breathing problems, heart failure and paralysis. Ten percent of diphtheria cases result in death.. |
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Prevention: Diphtheria can be prevented by a safe and effective vaccine. Even those who have already had the disease need to be immunized, as recovery is not always followed by lasting immunity.
While diphtheria is quite rare in the U.S., it is more prevalent in other countries, especially those in temperate zones. Travelers going abroad should make sure they have received vaccination against diphtheria. |
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Treatment: Those with suspected diphtheria should be given antibiotics and antitoxin, and should be isolated. Those who have been in contact with a possibly infected person should receive the diphtheria booster and antibiotics. | |
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| CONTACT |
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Find out more For further information, contact your local health office, or call our Health Info Hotline at 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948).
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