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How to Treat Diphtheria

Author: Ryan Thomas
by Ryan Thomas
Posted: Nov 04, 2014

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that is known to affect the throat and nose membranes. The infection could easily spread but can be prevented through vaccinations. If untreated for a long time, Diphtheria can cause serious kidney damage, heart or the nervous system.

Causes and risk factors

The corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium is known to be primarily responsible for the cause of these symptoms. The infection is usually spread through person-to-person contact. It can also be spread through contact with items that have the bacteria on them. These may include contact with someone’s cup or even a used tissue.

Note: an infected person’s mist from cough or sneeze could carry the bacterium!

An infected person could possibly transmit the infections even when they still do not show any signs or symptoms of the infection.

It is common for children to get a Diphtheria vaccine. This means that the risk of getting infected increases when you are in a region or country where immunization is not provided. Children are at a higher risk of getting infected. Moreover, people with a weak immune system are highly susceptible to the infections- such as those with AIDS. The chances of being infected are likely to heighten with poor living hygiene among other risk factors.

Signs and symptoms

Often noticed in 2 to 5 days of infection, the signs of having Diphtheria could mild or severe. One could also be a carrier of C. diphtheriae thus having mild symptoms or even no symptoms. The commonly experienced sign of the infection is a thick, gray coating that is found on your tonsils and throat.

Other common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Drooling
  • Breathing problems
  • Sore throat
  • Lymph nodes in the neck swelling
  • Loud, barking cough
  • Feeling uneasy or general discomfort

Note: living in poor hygiene or tropical areas could cause cutaneous diphtheria- also known as the diphtheria of the skin. This infection usually comes with redness of the affected area and a gray membrane covering some ulcers.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare giver will perform a physical examination to check out for any swollen lymph nodes. The diagnosis will also entail analyzing your medical history while examining the symptoms experienced. Throat culture is also necessary for diagnosis. Diphtheria of skin could be diagnosed through lab test for a sample of the affected skin.

Treatment and prevention

To prevent diphtheria, it is advisable that you get the right vaccinations and regularly visit your doctor for checkups and advice.

You need to get immediate medication as soon as you begin experiencing the above symptoms since this condition could be fatal. You will first get an antitoxin injection- inform your doctor in case you are allergic to the drug.

It is important that your healthcare provider prescribes the outright antibiotics after the injection. These doses will help to clear up the infection. A booster vaccine could also be advised, especially for people exposed to the C. diphtheriae bacteria.

Get the initial Rx from your doctor now and visit Kiwi Drug online doctor to buy quality penicillin and Erythromycin EC antibiotic doses for the ultimate Diphtheria treatment!

About the Author

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Author: Ryan Thomas

Ryan Thomas

Member since: Feb 05, 2014
Published articles: 97

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