Diphtheria By: Dakota Reynolds & Katie Dorminey

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resources   ptomsofDiphtheria