Diphtheria kills seven children in Rajasthan: Know all about this deadly disease

In an unfortunate turn of events seven children lost their lives due to diphtheria in one month in the Deeg district of Rajasthan and at least 24 others tested positive According to an IANS report the children who succumbed to the disease were aged between three to seven years Teams from the State Health Department and the World Health Organization WHO also landed in the area to assess the situation and control the outbreakDiphtheria is a highly contagious disease which affects the upper respiratory tract or skin and can spread by contact with the infected person or through respiratory droplets It is highly preventable with vaccination People in some rural areas may be more prone to the disease due to their resistance to administering vaccinesGiven the severity of the disease and its contagious nature middaycom speaks to Dr ChandraVeer Singh Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head and neck Onco Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road and Dr Nikhil Kulkarni Consultant in Internal Medicine at SL Raheja Hospital a Fortis Associate who highlight the causes symptoms treatment options and prevention tips for diphtheriaWhat is diphtheria and how is it causedSinghDiphtheria is a type of bacterial infection It is an infection of the nose and the throat and is contagious ie it can easily spread through respiratory droplets or the touch of an infected person It is mainly caused by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae This particular bacteria attacks the lining of the respiratory system while releasing harmful toxins This further leads to a buildup of tissues in the throat making it difficult to breathe or even swallowKulkarniDiphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae It primarily affects the throat and can lead to difficulty breathing heart problems and even death if left untreatedWhat are some symptoms of diphtheria that one should look out forSinghIndividuals infected with diphtheria may experience a range of symptoms which can vary from person to person This can include symptoms like sore throat difficulty in breathing unable to speak painful swallowing hoarseness of the voice chills fever tonsils cough drooling loss of appetite weakness of the muscles fatigue blisters lesions skin infection rashes and discolouration One should actively look for these symptoms and immediately consult a doctorKulkarniSome notable symptoms of diphtheria areSore throat and hoarsenessFever and chillsSwelling in the neck due to enlarged lymph nodesThick grey or white coating on the throat and tonsilsDifficulty swallowing or breathingHow does diphtheria affect the body Can it prove to be lifethreateningSinghThis bacterial infection tends to affect the respiratory mucous membranes by producing toxins in excess quantity This leads to the formation of a thick grey layer in the nose throat and airway passage This makes it difficult for an individual to even breathe When these toxins are mixed in the bloodstream they are more likely to affect various organs while causing severe damage to the nerves and the heart Diphtheria can be lifethreatening in children and the elderly if left untreated or ignored for an extended periodKulkarniDiphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets which are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes It can also be contracted by touching contaminated surfacesYes it can be potentially lifethreatening Swelling in the neck can lead to airway obstruction As a toxinmediated disease the toxins released by the bacteria require a specific antitoxin which may sometimes be in short supply This toxin can result in myocarditis inflammation of the heart tissue vasculitis inflammation of blood vessels and neuropathy nerve damage and can lead to kidney issues and multiple organ failure due to vasculitisAre kids more prone to diphtheria If yes whySinghKids are more susceptible to diphtheria It is mostly because their immune system is still yet to develop Children who have not been vaccinated for this infection are more likely to get infected with diphtheria Generally children tend to come in close contact with numerous children in the school daycare and playground This can increase the spread of this disease among the childrenKulkarniChildren are usually vaccinated according to national guidelines so they are generally protected unless they have not received their vaccinations in due timeAre there any differences in symptoms for children and adultsSinghThe symptoms may vary from person to person It becomes difficult to categorise symptoms according to the age groups The intensity and the severity of the symptoms may not be the same for everyoneKulkarniDiphtheria is a bacterial infection that can be serious and even fatal in adults Here are some symptoms of diphtheria that are usually seen in adultsA thick gray membrane that covers the throat nose and tonsilsA sore throatA lowgrade feverSwollen lymph nodes in the neckMuscle weaknessLoss of appetiteA barking coughHoarsenessDifficulty breathing or swallowingBluish coloration of the skinThe presentation of symptoms is usually similar in both children and adultsWhat are the treatment options for diphtheriaSinghIf you are diagnosed with diphtheria it becomes essential to visit a doctor before wasting any time Delaying the doctors visit and trying to cure it with home remedies can only worsen your condition Your doctor may suggest certain antibiotics and antitoxins to effectively combat the bacteria that has caused diphtheriaKulkarniTreatment options for diphtheria includeAdministration of antitoxin to neutralise the toxin produced by the bacteriaAntibiotics to eliminate the bacteriaSupportive care for any complications as and when they ariseIs diphtheria preventable Please share some tipsSinghDiphtheria can be prevented One of the most effective and easiest ways to prevent the risk of diphtheria is to get vaccinated for it It becomes crucial to stay uptodate with your vaccination to safeguard yourself from this disease Also practicing good hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water can be helpful This can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like diphtheriaKulkarniVaccination is the most effective method to prevent diphtheria The diphtheria vaccine is typically administered in combination with vaccines for tetanus and pertussis DTP or DTaP Keeping vaccination rates high is essential to prevent outbreaks as diphtheria can be lifethreatening particularly in unvaccinated groups The vaccination schedule for children includes doses at 2 months 4 months 6 months 1518 months and 46 yearsCan someone get diphtheria even after taking the vaccineSinghVaccines are often taken to protect yourself from contracting that particular disease But theres still a small chance of contracting diphtheria even if you have been vaccinated for itKulkarniDiphtheria outbreaks were recorded recently among adolescents who have not received booster shots The Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Tdap booster is recommended for those aged 1112 years and adults should receive a Td or Tdap booster every 10 yearsAre people more at risk of respiratory diphtheria during this time of the year near DiwaliSinghAll respiratory conditions linked to Diwali are more common and usually exacerbated by environmental pollution Diphtheria is rarer and can be more severe requiring vaccination and timely antibiotic treatment to prevent complicationsAlso ReadFear of test results delays breast cancer diagnoses say Mumbai doctors