What You Need to Know About the Dangerous Diphtheria Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and How to Prevent the Serious Infection

Diphtheria is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties, as well as skin sores. Although vaccination has made the disease rare in countries such as the United States, outbreaks continue to occur in parts of the world.

The disease is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a bacterium that can produce a toxin that damages tissues in the throat and other parts of the body.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms of diphtheria usually appear between two and five days after exposure, although they can develop anywhere from one to 10 days later.

Common symptoms include:

- Sore throat

- Weakness and fatigue

- Mild fever

- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

- A thick grey coating at the back of the throat

- Difficulty breathing or swallowing

A form known as cutaneous diphtheria affects the skin and may cause painful open sores, rashes, peeling skin, swelling and discoloration around affected areas.

Some infected people may have mild or no symptoms while still being capable of spreading the bacteria.

How Diphtheria Spreads

Diphtheria can spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits. It can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects or by touching an infected person's open sore.

People who have not been vaccinated are at greater risk of developing the disease.

Possible Complications

Without prompt treatment, diphtheria can become dangerous. Complications may include airway blockage and suffocation, heart muscle damage, heart failure, nerve damage and kidney failure. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal.

Treatment

Diphtheria requires immediate medical attention. Doctors may begin treatment before laboratory test results are available if the disease is strongly suspected.

Treatment may include diphtheria antitoxin, which helps prevent the toxin from causing further damage, as well as antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria.

Patients are generally isolated during treatment to prevent transmission. Additional tests may be performed after treatment to confirm that the bacteria have been cleared.

Vaccination Is the Best Prevention

Diphtheria is largely preventable through vaccination. Combination vaccines such as DTaP, Tdap and Td provide protection against diphtheria, with some also protecting against diseases such as tetanus and whooping cough.

Protection can decrease over time, which is why booster doses are recommended according to age and vaccination guidelines.

Health experts advise people to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with diphtheria or have been exposed to someone with the infection.

Because diphtheria can progress rapidly and become life-threatening, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and vaccination remain key to preventing serious illness and death.