- Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria.
- It primarily infects the throat and upper airways, and produces a toxin affecting other organs.
- The main characteristics are sore throat, low fever and swollen glands in the neck.
- In severe cases, the toxin may, cause myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy.
- The diphtheria toxin causes a membrane of dead tissue to build up over the throat and tonsils.
- The disease is spread through direct physical contact.
- It can also be spread from breathing in the aerosolized secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals.
TREATMENT
- Vaccination against diphtheria has reduced the mortality and morbidity of diphtheria.
- Treatment involves administering diphtheria antitoxin to neutralize the effects of the toxin, as well as antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
- Diphtheria vaccine is a bacterial toxoid, ie. a toxin whose toxicity has been inactivated.
