Treatment and prevention of Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a an acute infectious disease caused by corynebacterium diphtheriaand characterized in its typical form by the presence of pseudo membrane in the tonsil and throat and generalized toxemia

Natural history :

1. Source of infection:
a. Clinical case.
b. Carriers.

2. Infective material:
a. Nasopharyngeal secretions.
b. Discharge from skin lesions.
c. Contaminated of fomites.
d. Infective dust.

3. Infectious period: 14-28 days from the onset of the disease.

4. Mode of transmission :
a. Mainly by droplet infection
b. from infected cutaneous lesion.

5. Incubation period: 2-6 days.

Clinical features:
1. A sore throat and hoarseness.
2. Painfulswallowing.
3. Swollen glands [enlargement of lymph nods]
4. A stick, gray membrane covering your throat and tonsils.
5. Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
6. Nasal discharge.
7. Fever and chills.
8. Malaise.

Investigation:
a. Gram stain or throat culture to identify the diphtheria bacteria.
b. Toxin assay (to detect the presence of toxin made by the bacteria.
c. ECG.

Treatment:
1. Diphtheria antitoxin is given as a shot in to a muscle or through an IV.
2. The infection is treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin.
3. Fluids by IV.
4. Oxygen inhalation.
5. Bed rest.
6. Heart monitoring.
7. Insertion of breathing tube.
8. Correction of airway blockages.