Diphtheria

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Diphtheria

• By Dakota Reynolds
• Katie Dorminey

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Diphtheria

• Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness
• The toxin destroys the normal throat tissue,
  causing the throat to swell. As the tissue dies,
  the toxin forms a thick, grayish white membrane
  that completely covers the throat
• A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to
  the skin
• Very contagious

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Causative Agent

• Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused
  by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile, rod-shaped
  bacteria classified as Actinobacteria
• They form irregular, club-shaped or V-shaped
  arrangements in normal growth

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Signs Symptoms

• The main symptoms are sore throat, low fever,
  weakness and headache
• Difficulty talking
• The lymph glands in the neck become enlarged and
  swollen
• Breath has an unpleasant odor
• Skin diphtheria causes a nasal discharge and
  excoriated skin around the nose

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Treatment

• Diphtheria antitoxin is used
• The antitoxin is used to help prevent damage
  caused by the bacterial toxin to vital organs
• Antibiotics are give to treat the infection
• Hospitalization is usually required
• Supplementary oxygen, bed rest, and careful
  monitoring of heart functions are often needed

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Treatment

• If the membrane in the back of the throat
  obstructs breathing, a tube may be passed through
  the mouth or nose
• In serious cases a tracheotomy may be needed

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Prevention

• Immunization for diphtheria has been part of
  routine well-child care for decades
• This is the "D" in the "DPT" shots. (Diphtheria,
  Pertussis, and Tetanus)
• Diphtheria vaccine is made of a toxoid, which is
  a weakened form of the diphtheria toxin
• The immunity slowly depletes, so that a booster
  is needed every ten years

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Resources

• http//www.textbookofbacteriology.net/diphtheria.h
  tm
• http//www.healthscout.com/ency/68/466/main.htmlS
  ymptomsofDiphtheria