Download Diphtheria

Diphtheria
By: Dakota Reynolds
&
Katie Dorminey
Diphtheria
 Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness
 The toxin destroys the normal throat tissue, causing the
throat to swell. As the tissue dies, the toxin forms a thick,
grayish white membrane that completely covers the
throat
 A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin
 Very contagious
Causative Agent
 Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the
bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae
 Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacteria
classified as Actinobacteria
 They form irregular, club-shaped or V-shaped
arrangements in normal growth
Signs & Symptoms
 The main symptoms are sore throat, low fever, weakness
and headache
 Difficulty talking
 The lymph glands in the neck become enlarged and
swollen
 Breath has an unpleasant odor
 Skin diphtheria causes a nasal discharge and excoriated
skin around the nose
Treatment
 Diphtheria antitoxin is used
 The antitoxin is used to help prevent damage caused by
the bacterial toxin to vital organs
 Antibiotics are give to treat the infection
 Hospitalization is usually required
 Supplementary oxygen, bed rest, and careful monitoring
of heart functions are often needed
Treatment
 If the membrane in the back of the throat obstructs
breathing, a tube may be passed through the mouth or
nose
 In serious cases a tracheotomy may be needed
Prevention
 Immunization for diphtheria has been part of routine wellchild care for decades
 This is the "D" in the "DPT" shots. (Diphtheria, Pertussis,
and Tetanus)
 Diphtheria vaccine is made of a toxoid, which is a
weakened form of the diphtheria toxin
 The immunity slowly depletes, so that a booster is
needed every ten years
Resources
 http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/diphtheria.htm
 http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/466/main.html#Sym
ptomsofDiphtheria