How not to become infected with diphtheria and what to do if it happened

What is diphtheria and how it is dangerous

DiphtheriaDiphtheria - a bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Its causative agent, the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, she's diphtheria bacillus, identifies dangerous toxins that can destroy body tissues.

Localized in the nose and throat, the infection kills the cells that are ingested. Diphtheria creates on the surface of a dense gray fabric tape (psevdomembranu)Diphtheria. SymptomsConsisting of dead cells, bacteria and other substances. Over time, the film grows, and if you do not fight it, can completely block the airway. With a predictable death.

Only 100 years ago, it was the diphtheriaDiphtheria. Clinicians the main cause of death among children under five years.

But that's not all. The toxin can enter the bloodstream and it can help to spread throughout the body. For example, to attack the heart muscle, causing its inflammation (myocarditis) and irregularities in the heart. Or damage to the nerves, causing muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and even breathing stops.

Today, diphtheria mortality even with timely treatment reachesDiphtheria 5-10% of adults and 20% - among children.

What are the symptoms of diphtheria

Disease severity depends on the extent to toxin had spread throughout the body. Therefore, it is important to recognize the diphtheria and begin treatment as soon as possible.

However, there is complexity: at the initial stage of the disease is similar to the common cold. This is a serious reason not to ignore even the simplest of SARS. And even more to consult a physician or lorom if noticed at the characteristic symptoms. Here they are:

• severe weakness;
• temperature increase;
• sore throat;
• increase in cervical lymph nodes;
• swelling of the soft tissues of the neck;
• hoarseness, hoarseness;
• nasal;
• labored or rapid breathing;
• most indicative sign - gray film covering the tonsils and part of the palate.

Also you must visit the physician, if the contact with the man who a few days after the meeting has been set diphtheria. Do not hesitate, especially if you do not have vaccinations by the disease or since the last vaccination has been more than 10 years.

However, even if you believe that contact with the patient did not have the appearance of a gray film on the throat - a clear indication for an immediate visit to the doctor. The fact that some people can be carriers of diphtheria, but do not get sick at the same time themselves. There is a risk that some of the hidden media meet on your way.

How to treat diphtheria

Diagnosis can only medical professional. You may be offered to hand over a smear with mucous to test it for the presence of diphtheria bacilli. But if the doctor suspects diphtheria, treatment is initiated as quickly as possible - even before the results of laboratory tests are received.

Get rid of diphtheria only in a hospital isolation hospital. treatment includesDiphtheria. Diagnosis and Treatment include:

• The introduction of diphtheria serum. It contains anti-toxin, which protects the body from the poison released by diphtheria bacilli.
• The use of antibiotics. Their task - to destroy the bacteria.

Attention! Diphtheria serum has a number of serious side effectsDiphtheria Antitoxin. Side effectsSo it can be administered only on the testimony and under medical supervision. In addition, the antitoxin is not always necessary. Diphtheria has nontoxigenic strains: this means that bacteria do not emit a poison that can destroy cells in the body. In this case, serum even harmful. However, to decide whether or not to enter the antitoxin can only infectious disease physician.

And recall again. Even in time begun treatment does not guarantee recovery. The best way to avoid complications or death - do not allow the body to attack of diphtheria.

How not to become infected with diphtheria

Diphtheria spreads mainly in three ways:

• Airborne. Get your dose of bacteria is possible if you have someone sneezed or you just talked face to face with an infected person.
• Through personal belongings. For example, the catch can be drank some water from a glass from which the carrier before drinking.
• Through contaminated public objects. The bacterium may be a while on the handrails on public transportation, door handles, or, for example, toys in the children's room of a large supermarket.

Given all this, it is extremely important hygiene. Try as little as possible to be in public places with a lot of visitors, do not use strangers cutlery, wash your hands frequently and get rid of the habit of touching the mouth or nose dirty fingers.

However, one does not only hygiene will protect you from infection.

The most reliable way to reduce the risks - to be vaccinated against diphtheria.

According toCDC statistics demonstrate dramatic declines in vaccine-preventable diseases when compared with the pre-vaccine era American control centers and the prevention of diseases, 99% of the vaccinated people are protected from the deadly infection.

This, incidentally, does not mean that vaccinated do not get sick. Just their bodies ready to meet with the bacterium and can successfully withstand it. Vaccinated person picked up diphtheria bacillus, it is likely to have been ill easily - perhaps not even realizing that it was diphtheria, but not cold. But his neighbor unvaccinated same "cold" can kill.

Is it worth the risk of a similar vaccine controversies - it's up to you.