Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through
respiratory droplets
How does diphtheria multiply?
Once infected, the
bacteria quickly multiply within the body
and spread through the inner lining of the throat, mouth and nose. The bacteria produce a toxin that kills cells in the throat. These cells then join to form the grey–white membrane that is typically seen in cases of diphtheria.
How does Corynebacterium diphtheriae reproduce?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is
spread by droplets, secretions, or direct contact
. In situ lysogenic conversion of nontoxigenic strains to a toxigenic phenotype has been documented. Infection is spread solely among humans, although toxigenic strains have been isolated from horses.
How was diphtheria made?
Diphtheria is an acute, bacterial disease caused
by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
. The name of the disease is derived from the Greek diphthera, meaning ‘leather hide.
Can diphtheria be passed from human to human?
Diphtheria spreads from person to person
, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. It can also spread by touching open sores or ulcers of someone with a diphtheria skin infection.
Where is diphtheria most commonly found?
Endemic in many countries in
Asia
, the South Pacific, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Since 2016, respiratory diphtheria outbreaks have occurred in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Venezuela, Haiti, South Africa, and Yemen.
Can diphtheria be cured?
Today, the
disease is not only treatable but also preventable with a vaccine
. The diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).
What is the main cause of diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a
serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae
that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
How can diphtheria be prevented?
Vaccination
.
Keeping up to date with
recommended vaccines is the best way to prevent diphtheria. In the United States, there are four vaccines used to prevent diphtheria: DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td. Each of these vaccines prevents diphtheria and tetanus; DTaP and Tdap also help prevent pertussis (whooping cough).
What are the long term effects of diphtheria?
Damage to the heart muscle (myocarditis) Nerve damage
(polyneuropathy) Loss of the ability to move (paralysis) Kidney failure.
What diphtheria smells like?
Infectious diseases were known by their characteristics odors–scrofula as smelling like stale beer; typhoid, like freshly baked brown bread; rubella, like plucked feathers; and diphtheria, as
“sweetish
.” Anosmics might be banned from medical school.
What country did diphtheria come from?
Before 1826, diphtheria was known by different names across the world. In England, it was known as Boulogne sore throat, as it spread from
France
. In 1826, Pierre Bretonneau gave the disease the name diphthérite (from Greek διφθέρα, diphthera ‘leather’) describing the appearance of pseudomembrane in the throat.
Can you still get diphtheria if vaccinated?
FACT:
You cannot get diphtheria from the vaccine
. infected person’s nose, throat, eyes and/or skin lesions. FACT: Nearly one out of every 10 people who get diphtheria will die from it. or death if untreated.
Do adults get diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection. It spreads easily and happens quickly, and mainly affects the nose and throat. Children under 5 and adults over 60 years old are
particularly at risk for getting it
.
How long is diphtheria contagious?
When and for how long is a person able to spread respiratory diphtheria? Untreated patients who are infected with the diphtheria germ may be contagious for
up to four weeks
. If the patient is treated appropriately, the contagious period can be limited to less than four days.
Who is most at risk for diphtheria?
Historically, diphtheria has been primarily a disease of childhood, affecting populations younger than 12 years.
Infants
become susceptible to the disease at age 6-12 months after their transplacentally derived immunity wanes.
