1. Hospitalized patients with confirmed pharyngeal diphtheria should be cared for using
droplet precautions
until they have completed antimicrobial therapy and two cultures taken at least 24 hours apart, and at least 24 hours after cessation of antimicrobial therapy, fail to show diphtheria organisms.
Is diphtheria airborne or droplet?
Diphtheria bacteria usually spread from person to person through
respiratory droplets
, like from coughing or sneezing. Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin (poison).
Which type of isolation precaution is essential for a patient diagnosed with diphtheria?
Respiratory diphtheria usually occurs after an incubation period of 2-5 days. 1. Place patient immediately in isolation room (or area) and apply
standard, droplet and contact precautions
when caring for the patient.
Why is diphtheria a notifiable disease?
Diphtheria is an
‘urgent’ notifiable condition
that must be notified immediately to the department by medical practitioners and pathology services. Exclusion periods apply to both cases and contacts. Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Is diphtheria a respiratory disease?
Diphtheria is an acute, bacterial disease caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Infection can result in respiratory or cutaneous disease
.
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?
Before antibiotics were available, diphtheria was a common illness in young children. 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).
How can you prevent diphtheria from spreading?
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 4 types of isolation?
It recommended that hospitals use one of seven isolation categories (
Strict Isolation, Respiratory Isolation, Protective Isolation, Enteric Precautions, Wound and Skin Precautions, Discharge Precautions, and Blood Precautions
).
What are the 5 types of precautions?
- Contact Precautions. …
- Droplet Precautions. …
- Airborne Precautions. …
- Eye Protection.
How do I report diphtheria?
Reporting to CDC
Healthcare professionals should promptly report suspected diphtheria cases to their respective health department and then the
CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100)
to obtain diphtheria antitoxin for treating the patient.
What are the stages of diphtheria?
In its early stages, diphtheria may be mistaken for a severe sore throat. Other symptoms include a low grade fever and enlarged lymph nodes (swollen glands) located in the neck. Another presentation of diphtheria can be skin lesions that may be painful, red and swollen.
What are the complications of diphtheria?
- Airway blockage.
- Damage to the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Nerve damage (polyneuropathy)
- Loss of the ability to move (paralysis)
- Kidney failure.
What are the 5 types of diphtheria?
- classical respiratory diphtheria.
- laryngeal diphtheria.
- nasal diphtheria and.
- cutaneous diphtheria (skin lesions).
Is diphtheria caused by poor hygiene?
Risk factors for diphtheria include crowded environments,
poor hygiene
, and lack of immunization.
How long is diphtheria contagious for?
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.
