0
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium and can be transmitted through a direct physical contact with infected individuals. The disease is characterized by a low fever and sore throat.
153 Questions
Diphtheria is a contagious bacteria that can lead to sore throat, low-grade fever, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes on your neck, a grayish membrane may form over the bridge of your nose, throat and tonsils may block your airway causing it to be difficult to swallow. It is transmitted by person to person though close contact with the discharge from an infected person's eyes, nose, throat or skin. Diphtheria demands immediate attention- any delay may lead to death. The infected person should be hospitalized, isolated and treated with antibiotics such as penicillin. Diphtheria is also known as Corynebacterium diptheriae.
Diptheria is an upper respiratory tract illness. Symptoms of the disease are low fever, sore throat, swollen neck, and swelling of the tonsils, pharynx, and nasal cavity. The disease is spread through physical contact and breathing the air-borne secretions of the infected. The disease has been largely wiped out through vaccinations.
What age you should get vaccine for Diphtheria?
7-10 years
I am a nurse at a doctor's office and we give lots of tetanus shots!
Toxoid vaccines such as the vaccines against diphtheria and tetanus elicit a?
DTP vaccine conveys immunity to three different infectious diseases: * Diphtheria is a potentially fatal disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages, but may also infect the skin. Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsilshttp://www.answers.com/topic/tonsils and upper part of the throat. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Routine vaccination has almost eradicated diphtheria from the United States, but it is still seen in many parts of the world. * Tetanus, sometimes called lockjaw, is a disease caused by the toxinhttp://www.answers.com/topic/toxin of Clostridium tetani. The disease affects the central nervous system and causes painful muscle contractions. Food is not given by mouth to those with muscle spasmhttp://www.answers.com/topic/muscle-spasm but may be given via nasogastric tubehttp://www.answers.com/topic/nasogastric-tube or intravenouslyhttp://www.answers.com/topic/intravenous. Tetanus is often fatal. * Pertussis, also called whooping coughhttp://www.answers.com/topic/whooping-cough, is a respiratory disease caused by Bordatella pertussis. The name comes from a typical cough which starts with a deep inhalationhttp://www.answers.com/topic/inhalation, followed by a series of quick, short coughshttp://www.answers.com/topic/cough that continues until the air is expelled from the lungs, and ends with a long shrillhttp://www.answers.com/topic/shrill, whooping inhalation. Pertussis is very contagioushttp://www.answers.com/topic/contagious and usually affects young children. DPT vaccine has been associated with allergic reactions and with encephalopathy, both of which are rare but severe conditions. Other risks are common but minor: * redness, irritationhttp://www.answers.com/topic/irritation and itching at injection site * fever * loss of appetite * drowsiness * irritability
Why didn't serum needed for the diphtheria outbreak get flown to nome?
They did not have planes back then and the weather was horrible!!
What is the period on communicability for Diphtheria?
The incubation period is two to seven days, with an average of three days. It is vital to seek medical help at once when diphtheria is suspected, because treatment requires emergency measures for adults as well as children.
What is the name of diphtheria bacteria?
Diphtheria is an infectioncaused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae
What is the Age of child for vaccination of diphtheria?
The DPT (diptheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus) shot is no longer given due to a high degree of side effects from the pertussis part of it. Now a safer vaccine, DTaP, is given at ages 2, 4, and 6 months then at 12-18 months and a final dose at 4-6 years (in the US - other countries have slightly different schedules)
The Td booster (tetanus with a small amount of diptheria toxoid to make the reaction to tetanus stronger) has been replaced by a version with a smaller amount of pertussis because teens and young adults have been getting whooping cough (Tdap). People older than 65 and those who have already had the Tdap should bet the older Td if needed.
How do you pronounce diphtheria?
Online audio suggests "dif-thee-ree-a," but I have always heard it pronounced "dip-thee-ree-a."
Is there a vaccine for diphtheria?
A diphtheria vaccine is effective for prevention and available in a number of formulations.
What is mode of transmission of diphtheria?
Diphtheria is usually spread between people by direct contact or through the air.
Diphtheria is cured with an antitoxin that neutralizes the toxin.
_____________________________________________________________________\
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease (corynebacterium diphtheriae) that has an [incubation period] of one week. The symptoms include a sore throat, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and a thick grayish membrane forms over the tonsils and pharynx which can cause difficulty breathing and swallowing. Diphtheria can also affect the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Diphtheria is cured with an antitoxin that neutralizes the toxin. Respirators and antibiotics are used to minimize the complications. [Vaccine] and booster shots for diphtheria were developed in 1920.
-In the late 1800's, diphtheria epidemics spread throughout the United States and Europe until 1920, when a vaccine was developed.
-The only way to keep diphtheria out of the United States is to maintain the highest level of immunization possible through vaccination.
-Diphtheria is spread through a cough or a sneeze.
-Diphtheria is Greek for a piece of leather, referring to the tough gray mucous membrane blocking the throat.
Why is diphtheria rare for Americans?
A diphtheria vaccine is effective for prevention and available in a number of formulations.
How is the antitoxin for diptheria given?
The dose ranges from 20,000-100,000 units, depending on the severity and length of time of symptoms occurring before treatment. Diphtheria antitoxin is usually given intravenously.
Why could diphtheria cause major illness or death?
Complications may include myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low blood platelets. Myocarditis may result in an abnormal heart rate and inflammation of the nerves may result in paralysis.
What is the most common injury or sickness caused by diphtheria?
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or temporary paralysis. Death can occur in about 10% of cases.
What areas of the body does the virus diphtheria attack?
Diphtheria primarily affects the respiratory system, particularly the throat and nose, leading to symptoms such as a sore throat, difficulty breathing, and a characteristic gray or white membrane in the throat. It can also impact the skin if a cut or wound becomes infected. In severe cases, the toxins produced by the bacteria can spread to the heart and nervous system, leading to complications such as myocarditis or paralysis.
