Question 1

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 2

does diphtheria have a high mortality rate?

Accepted Answer

Toxic strains 3-23%: Diphtheria has more & less toxic strains with impact based on toxicity. In unprotected areas the case fatality rate during epidemics in the 90's was 3-23%. See aap/red book/28ed/diphtheria.

Question 3

why did my skin turn blue, when i contracted diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Blue skin: Caould be due to raynaud's if its affecting your fingers.

Question 4

do doctors see a lot of patients with diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Fortunately NO: Diphtheria is an upper airway infection by a bacteria, corynebacterium diphtheria, which causes sore throat, fever, and a classic appearing (and somewhat nasty) infectious "membrane" on your tonsils. Sometimes just the skin is infected. Diphtheria is extremely rare in north america (and another reason to get your vaccines!). Diphtheria protection is provided in the typical "tetanus shot" (td).

Question 5

i was wondering what do tetanus and diphtheria have in common?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial diseases: The most important thing for you to know that these are both bacterial diseases that have been conquered by immunization -- so long as we can get the immunization to people, overcoming superstition and slick disinformation campaigns.The bacteria are still very much with us. Both diseases are agonizing and often lethal.

Question 6

my son has diphtheria, how long until he can return to school?

Accepted Answer

Finish RX & neg test: Patients with pharyngeal diphtheria are considered potentially contageous untill they have finished their antibiotic rx and had 2 negative cultures at least 24hrs apart.

Question 7

i was diagnosed with diphtheria, how long before i am no longer contagious?

Accepted Answer

4 days with abx: Untreated patients may continue to have infectious material in their secretions for 2-6 wks after primary infection. Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics are considered contageous fewer than 4 days.

Question 8

i don't believe in immunizations.  am i or my child more likely to contract diphtheria?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The problem with diphtheria, a vicious disease that killed my wife's aunt, is that it is due to a bacteria.  Bacteria are capable of surviving in our environment without being hosted by human beings.  They are sitting there like pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus waiting for us to drop our guard.   I hope you will reconsider your position against immunizations.  They shield us from diseases that devastated our families in the past and could easily do it again if our judgment is clouded by our success.

Question 9

what are the effects of diphtheria have on the mitral valve?

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis: C. Diphteriae can cause infection on the mitral valve and this is called endocarditis.

Question 10

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.

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A member asked:

How common is diphtheria in the united states?

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Does diphtheria have a high mortality rate?

A member asked:

Why did my skin turn blue, when i contracted diphtheria?

A member asked:

Do doctors see a lot of patients with diphtheria?

A member asked:

I was wondering what do tetanus and diphtheria have in common?

A member asked:

My son has diphtheria, how long until he can return to school?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with diphtheria, how long before i am no longer contagious?

A member asked:

I don't believe in immunizations. am i or my child more likely to contract diphtheria?

A member asked:

What are the effects of diphtheria have on the mitral valve?

A member asked:

Where is diphtheria most commonly found?

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