What Is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a very serious, potentially deadly disease which usually attacks the throat or the nose. In rare cases it affects the heart and the nerves. It is extremely contagious and it is usually quite rare due to immunizations against the condition. The condition itself is caused by bacterium called 'Corynebacterium Diphtheriae', which produces a toxin which is carried through the bloodstream.

Early symptoms of the condition include a sore throat and a really mild fever. Occasionally you may find it hard to swallow and in some cases some infected people do not have any symptoms at all and they do not even realise that they are ill. If not treated, it can be deadly as the toxins poison the body. It is mainly passed on in crowded areas through people sneezing and coughing and then healthy people breathing the bacterium in. So always cover up your nose and mouth whenever someone sneezes or coughs around you. You never know what they could be passing on!

Diphtheria is a childhood infection that used to be very common but, thankfully, is much rarer today because of vaccination of children.

The disease is caused by a bacterial infection which concentrates in the pharynx in the throat. The bacteria are spread by airborne infective particles in sneezes and coughs and the disease spreads rapidly in crowded conditions.

The affected person develops a sore throat but soon, breathing becomes difficult because the bacteria form a meshed web at the back of the throat that is clearly visible on examination. The bacterial infection can also cause inflammation of the heart.

The mesh is worsened as dead tissue is produced and the mass can completely block the airway, making it necessary for a tracheotomy – a surgical procedure to open up the neck to allow air to enter the windpipe below the obstruction.

Few cases are seen in the UK today as vaccination against the disease is done in the first few months of life and antibiotics take care of the few cases that do arise.