Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that can infect the

body in two areas: the throat (respiratory diphtheria) and the skin (skin or cutaneous diphtheria).

The diphtheria bacterium can

enter the body through the nose

and mouth. However, it can also

enter through a break in the skin.

It is transmitted from person to

person by respiratory secretions

or droplets in the air. After being

exposed to the bacterium, it

usually takes 2 to 4 days forsymptoms to develop.

Respiratory diphtheria

· breathing difficulty

· husky voice

· enlarged lymph glands

· increased heart rate

· stridor (a shrill breathing sound heard on

inspiration)

· nasal drainage

· swelling of the palate (roof of the

mouth)

· sore throat

· low-grade fever

· malaise

Skin (cutaneous) diphtheria With

this type of diphtheria, the

symptoms are usually milder and

may include yellow spots or sores (similar to impetigo) on the skin.

Symptoms

Diphtheria Clinical Features

Incubation period 2-5days (range,1-10days)

May involve any mucous membrane

Classified based on site of infection:

*anterior nasal

* pharyngeal and tonsillar

*laryngeal

*cutaneous

*ocular

*genital

Treatment. The antitoxin, injected

into a vein or muscle, neutralizes the

diphtheria toxin already circulating in the

body. Before giving antitoxin, doctors

may perform skin allergy tests to make

sure that the infected person doesn'thave an allergy to the antitoxin.

Antibiotics. Diphtheria is also treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin. Antibiotics help

kill bacteria in the body, clearing up infections. Antibiotics reduce to just a few days the length of time thata person with diphtheria is contagious.

Children and adults who have diphtheria often need to be in the hospitalfor treatment.

Doctors may remove some of the thick, gray covering in the throat if thecovering is obstructing breathing.

Preventive treatments.If you've been exposed

to a person infected with

diphtheria, see a doctor for testing and possible treatment. Your

doctor may give you a prescription for antibiotics to help prevent

you from developing the disease. You may also need a booster

dose of the diphtheria vaccine. Doctors treat people who are

found to be carriers of diphtheria with antibiotics to clear theirsystems of the bacteria, as well.