How can diphtheria be fatal

The wound is sore, inflamed and full of pus and may be surrounded by greyish skin patches. This condition is known as cutaneous diphtheria. It is quite rare in developed countries. Without treatment, the extremely serious and potentially lethal complications of diphtheria can include:. Diphtheria is most commonly spread when someone ingests swallows or inhales the cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person. Symptoms occur between two and 10 days following infection. Sometimes, a person has such a mild case of diphtheria that they don't realise they are sick.

However, they are still contagious for about six weeks and may infect a lot of other people. An apparently healthy person who spreads an infectious disease is called a 'carrier'.

If diphtheria is suspected, treatment begins before the test results are back from the laboratory. Treatment may include:. People who are caring for someone with diphtheria should practise strict hygiene — for example, wash hands frequently, particularly before handling, preparing or eating food — and get a booster vaccination.

All contacts should also receive a course of antibiotics. In Victoria, the diphtheria vaccine is available in a combined vaccine that also contains protection against other serious and potentially fatal diseases. The diphtheria vaccine contains a weakened form of the bacterial toxin, called a toxoid. It works by prompting the body to produce an 'antitoxin' — a specific antibody that neutralises diphtheria toxin.

A number of doses are needed to offer good protection against diphtheria. Different vaccines are available depending on the person's age group.

A free combined vaccine that offers protection against diphtheria is available for all Victorian children when they are:. Catch-up immunisations are also available free-of-charge for all children and young people under 20 years of age. The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO.

View the HALO infographic to find out more. Immunity against diphtheria reduces with time and further booster shots may be needed. A course of diphtheria-containing vaccine is recommended for anyone who has never been vaccinated. Three doses are given at monthly intervals and two further booster doses are given 10 years apart. Booster doses of the adult form of the vaccine, tetanus-diphtheria toxoids vaccine Td , may be needed every 10 years to maintain immunity. Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a severe infection caused by a bacterium that affects the brain and nervous system.

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Here we explain the…. Polio is a highly contagious viral infection that causes paralysis, breathing problems, and may be fatal. Most cases show no symptoms, and polio has…. Everything you need to know about diphtheria. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. What is diphtheria? Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment History Prevention Diphtheria is a contagious disease that usually infects the nose and throat. Share on Pinterest A diagnosis of diphtheria may be made by analyzing tissue samples under a microscope.

Share on Pinterest Nowadays, diphtheria is extremely rare thanks to widespread vaccination against the infectious disease. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? The most visible and common symptom of diphtheria is a thick, gray coating on the throat and tonsils. Other common symptoms include:. If you have poor hygiene or live in a tropical area, you may also develop cutaneous diphtheria, or diphtheria of the skin. Diphtheria of the skin usually causes ulcers and redness in the affected area. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes. Your doctor may believe that you have diphtheria if they see a gray coating on your throat or tonsils.

A throat culture may also be taken if your doctor suspects diphtheria of the skin. Diphtheria is a serious condition, so your doctor will want to treat you quickly and aggressively. The first step of treatment is an antitoxin injection. This is used to counteract the toxin produced by the bacteria. Make sure to tell your doctor if you suspect you might be allergic to the antitoxin. They may be able to give you small doses of the antitoxin and gradually build up to higher amounts.

Your doctor will also prescribe antibiotics, such as erythromycin or penicillin, to help clear up the infection. During treatment, your doctor may have you stay in the hospital so you can avoid passing your infection on to others.

They may also prescribe antibiotics for those close to you. The vaccine for diphtheria is called DTaP. People with an advanced infection may need a ventilator to help them breathe. If the toxin may have spread to the heart, kidneys, or central nervous system, patients may need IV fluids, oxygen, or heart medicines. A person with diphtheria must be isolated. Family members and other close contacts who haven't been immunized, or who are very young or elderly, must be protected from contact with the patient.

When someone is diagnosed with diphtheria, the doctor will notify the local health department and treat everyone in the household who may have been exposed to the bacteria. Treatment includes throat cultures and booster doses of the diphtheria vaccine. They will also get antibiotics as a precaution. With prompt care in a hospital, most patients recover from diphtheria.

After the antibiotics and anti-toxin take effect, they will need bed rest for a while 4 to 6 weeks, or until full recovery. Bed rest is particularly important if someone develops myocarditis inflammation of the heart muscle , which can be a complication of diphtheria. After recovery, people who had diphtheria should still get all the diphtheria vaccine shots to protect them from another infection. Having had the disease doesn't guarantee lifetime immunity.