Diphtheria is a bacterial infection on the nose and throatn. Although not always cause symptoms, pthis disease usually characterized by the appearance of a gray membrane that lines the throat and tonsils.
If left untreated, diphtheria bacteria can release toxins that can damage a number of organs, such as the heart, kidneys, or brain. Diphtheria is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening infectious disease, but it can be prevented through immunization.
In Indonesia, the administration of diphtheria vaccine is combined with pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus, or also known as DPT immunization.
Risk Factors and Causes Diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria, which can spread from person to person.
A person can get diphtheria if he accidentally inhales or swallows the saliva splashes released by the patient when coughing or sneezing. Transmission can also occur through objects that have been contaminated with the patient's saliva, such as glasses or spoons.
Diphtheria can be experienced by anyone. However, the risk of getting diphtheria will be higher if you do not get a complete diphtheria vaccine. In addition, diphtheria is also more at risk for people who:
- Living in a densely populated area or poor hygiene.
- Travel to areas where there is an outbreak of diphtheria.
- Having a low immune system, such as having AIDS.
Symptoms of Diphtheria
Symptoms of diphtheria appear 2 to 5 days after a person is infected. However, not everyone infected with diphtheria experiences symptoms. When symptoms appear, they usually form a thin, gray layer that covers the patient's throat and tonsils.
In addition to the appearance of a gray coating in the throat, other symptoms that can appear include:
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Cough
- Have a cold
- Fever
- Shivering
- Weak
- A lump appears in the neck due to swollen lymph nodes
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the symptoms of diphtheria above, especially if you have a risk of contracting it.
Diphtheria can cause more severe symptoms, such as:
- Visual disturbance
- A cold sweat
- Hard to breathe
- Heart beat
- Pale or blue skin
If these symptoms appear, immediately go to the hospital emergency room for medical help.
Diagnosis and Treatment Diphtheria
Doctors can suspect a patient has diphtheria if there is a gray coating on his throat or tonsils. However, to be sure, the doctor will take a sample of mucus from the patient's throat (swab examination or ). swab throat), to be investigated in the laboratory.
Diphtheria is a serious disease and must be treated as soon as possible. According to statistical data, 1 in 10 diphtheria patients dies despite receiving treatment.
Several types of treatment are carried out to treat diphtheria, including:
Anti-venom injection
The doctor will give an injection of diphtheria antitoxin (antitoxin) to fight the toxins produced by the diphtheria bacteria. Prior to the injection, the patient will undergo a skin allergy test to ensure that there is no allergy to the antitoxin.
Antibiotic drug
To kill the diphtheria bacteria and treat the infection, the doctor will give antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin. Antibiotics need to be consumed until they run out according to the doctor's prescription, to ensure the body is free from diphtheria disease. Two days after giving antibiotics, generally patients are no longer able to transmit diphtheria.
Handling of diphtheria is carried out in hospitals, in order to prevent transmission of diphtheria to other people. If necessary, the doctor will also prescribe antibiotics to the patient's family.
For patients who experience shortness of breath due to the membrane in the throat blocking the flow of air, the ENT doctor will perform a membrane removal procedure.
Complications of Diphtheria
The bacteria that cause diphtheria produce a toxin that can damage the tissues in the nose and throat, thus blocking the respiratory tract. The poison can also spread through the bloodstream and attack various organs.
In the heart, tissue damage due to toxins can cause inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). In the kidneys, causes kidney failure. And on the nerves, causing paralysis.
Therefore, proper treatment is very important to prevent and reduce the severity of diphtheria complications.
Diphtheria Prevention
Diphtheria can be prevented by DPT immunization, namely the administration of the diphtheria vaccine in combination with the tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines. DPT immunization is included in the mandatory immunization for children in Indonesia. This vaccine is given at the age of 2, 3, 4, and 18 months, and at the age of 5 years.
In order to provide optimal protection, a DPT-type vaccine (Tdap or Td) will be given at the age range of 10-12 years and 18 years. Especially for the Td vaccine, administration is done every 10 years.
Not only in children, diphtheria vaccine also needs to be given to adults.
For children under 7 years of age who have never received DPT immunization or who do not receive complete immunization, can be given chase immunization according to the schedule recommended by the pediatrician. Especially for children who are 7 years old and over and have not received DPT immunization, the Tdap vaccine can be given.