“DIPHTHERIA

”
Reported by:
Castrillo, Mariam P.
BSN IV – B
Group 4
ETIOLOGIC
AGENT:
Corynebacterium
diphtheria
(KLEBS-LOEFFLER

BACILLUS)
DEFINITION:
An infection of the lining of the


upper respiratory tract (the nose

and throat). It is a serious disease
that can cause breathing difficulty and
other complications, including death.
 This disease primarily affects the
mucous membranes of the
respiratory tract (respiratory
diphtheria), although it may also
affect the skin (cutaneous
diphtheria) and lining tissues in the
ear, eye, and the genital areas.
Respiratory diphtheria?
Respiratory diphtheria


presents as a sore throat with

low-grade fever and a membrane
attached to the tonsils, pharynx,
or nose. Neck swelling is usually
present in severe disease.
Respiratory diphtheria can


lead to severe breathing

problems, heart failure, blood
disorders, paralysis, coma
and even death.
Cutaneous (skin) diphtheria?
 Is most often seen among persons
with poor hygiene who live in
crowded conditions. Skin wounds
are characterized by a scaling
rash, sores or by blisters which
can occur anywhere on the body.
Skin wounds may be painful,


swollen and reddened. The

skin infection is treated by
thorough cleansing with soap
and water and appropriate
antibiotics.
SOURCE OF
INFECTION:
Discharges and


Secretions from mucus

surface of nose and
nasopharynx and from
skin and other lesions.
INCUBATION
PERIOD:
Usually 2 – 5 days,


occasionally longer.
PERIOD OF
COMMUNICABILITY:
Variable until virulent bacilli


has dissapeared from

secretions and lesions:
Usually 2 weeks and seldom
more than 4 weeks.
SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS:
Usually, diphtheria develops in


the throat. Early symptoms are

a sore throat and mild fever.
A membrane that forms over
the throat and tonsils can make
it hard to swallow.
 The infection also causes the lymph
glands and tissue on both sides of
the neck to swell to an unusually
large size.
 Some people can be infected but

not appear ill. They can also spread

the infection.
How is diphtheria diagnosed?

 Diagnosis is by
physician
examination and
throat culture.
PREVENTION:
The diphtheria vaccine:
 Usually given in a combination shot with

tetanus and pertussis vaccines, known as DTP

vaccine. A child should have received four
DTP shots by 18 months of age, with a booster
shot at age 4 years to 6 years. After that,
diphtheria and tetanus boosters should be given
every 10 years to provide continued protection.
TREATMENT:
 Administration of antitoxin to
neutralize any exotoxin still
circulating in the bloodstream.
 The administration of antibiotics,

such as penicillin and streptomycin,

has not proved to be of any value in
treating diphtheria.
TREATMENT:
 General supportive measures, such as
bed rest and increasing the patients'
intake of fluids are helpful in
making the patient comfortable.
 Guava tea is excellent in dissolving

dried mucus and killing bacteria in

the respiratory tract.