DIPHTHERIA

DIPHTHERIA

It is an acute infectious disease caused by toxigenic strain of cornebacterium diphtheria.  It has following features –

1. Formation of grayish or yellowish membrane.
2. Marked congestion, edema or local tissue destruction.
3. Enlargement of regional lymph nodes.
4. Signs and symptoms of toxaemia.

Agent : Corynebacterium diphtheria.

Source of infection :   Cases – clinical and subclinical

Carriers – temporary and chronic

Infective material :     ·   Nasopharyngeal secretions

• Discharges from lesions
• Contaminated fomites.

Period of infectivity : 14-28 days from onset of disease.

Age : Children below 5 years of age.

Environmental factors : Winters

Mode of transmission :    ·   Droplet infection

• Cutaneous lesions
• Transmission of objects

Portal of entry :                   ·   Respiratory route

• Cuts, wounds, ulcers, umbilicus, eye,

Genitalia, middle ear.

Incubation period : 2-6 days

Types of Diphtheria : Laryngo-tracheal, pharyngotonsillar, nasal and cutaneous.

1. Throat shows erythema
2. A membrane over entire tonsil, posterior pharynx, soft palate.
3. Membrane is blue-white.
4. Attempt to remove leads to bleeding.
5. Edema of sub-mandibular area gives ‘bull neck appearance’.

DIAGNOSIS

Schick test

PREVENTION

Diphtheria vaccine can be given singly or combined with pertusis and tetanus vaccine (DPT).

CONTROL

• Early detection of cases and carrier.
• Isolation of cases for 14 days.

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• admin |
• December 3, 2021