Question 1

what is diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Diphtheria: Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the upper airway caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.  This disease was historically associated with severe illness and sometimes death, until the vaccine against it was developed in the early 1920's.  Currently, immunization schedules including the DTaP vaccine have been tremendously successful in preventing this disease.

Question 2

what causes diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Infection: Infection, usually in the throat, with cornybacterium diphtheriae produced a toxin that causes the signs and symptoms of diphtheria.
Dpt vaccination prevents diphtheria.

Question 3

how is diphtheria transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Droplets/drainage: Diptheria is spread by contact with respiratory tract droplets from a respiratory carrier or drainage from skin lesions from a person with cutaneous diptheria..

Question 4

what are the tests for diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

DIPHTHERIA: The appearance of the membrane suggest th dx. Gram stain is positive to gram  negative bacilli and send for culture for c. Diptheriae.

Question 5

what are the effects of diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Death rate is 5-10%,: up to 20% in patients &lt;age 5 &amp; &gt; age 40 from infections caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium Diphtheriae. It was endemic in San Antonio, TX, when I worked  there. There is tissue damage. A grayish pseudomembrane covers the tonsils &amp; throat &amp;, sometimes, the larynx. It can obstruct the airway. The toxin damages the heart &amp; paralyzes the soft palate eyes, limbs &amp; diaphragm. Immunize!

Question 6

can you get diphtheria more than once?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes. Even individuals recovering from diphtheria should be immunized against the disease as soon as possible.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=388276.

Question 7

where is diphtheria most commonly found?

Accepted Answer

Former Soviet Union: Between 1990 and 1998, more than 80 percent of all cases of diphtheria in the world were reported from the former Soviet Union.

Question 8

my child has diphtheria, can i also catch it?

Accepted Answer

Yes & no: If you are fully immunized you have some protection from the disease, yet you may acquire the germ and have a sore throat. You may also spread it to others if you are a carrier. Patients who survived diptheria in the past are not considered immune.

Question 9

how common is diphtheria in the united states?

Accepted Answer

55 cases in 30 yrs: From 1980 to 2010, there were 55 cases of diphtheria reported to the cdc.

Question 10

what are possible complications from diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Rare: Diphtheria, once common, is now a rare disease in developed countries due to widespread vaccination programs.  It is characterized by fever and membranous coating of the upper airways.  The coating and throat swelling can cause death by asphyxiation.  Skin lesions can develop from toxin formation.  Also myocarditis (inflammation of heart) and neuropathy can occur.

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