DIPHTHERIA
Why In News?
- A recent report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the diphtheria outbreak in Guinea highlights the urgency of understanding the disease and ways to treat it.
In Terms of Diphtheria:
- Diphtheria is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin.
- Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacteria usually grow on or near the surface of the throat or skin.
- In severe cases, the toxin secreted by this bacterium kills cells in the throat.
- If the patient is not treated the toxin can spread through the bloodstream and cause damage to the heart and kidneys.
Symptoms of Diphtheria:
- Some people may have mild or no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the infection to others. These people are called carriers of diphtheria.
- A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils
- A sore throat and hoarseness
- Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Fever and chills
- Tiredness
Status of This Disease in India:
- Diphtheria vaccination program has been running in India since the 1980s.
- Yet India still remains the world leader in diphtheria cases.
- In severe cases, the toxin secreted by this bacterium kills cells in the throat.
- Diphtheria is increasingly infecting adolescents and adults in India, although historically it was a disease of children under five.
Measures to Prevent Diphtheria:
- The best way to prevent diphtheria is vaccination. Diphtheria vaccine is given as part of a combination vaccine that also protects against tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).
- The vaccine is recommended for children at ages 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months, and for children ages 4 to 6 years. A booster dose every 10 years is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- The vaccine is safe and effective, but it may have some mild side effects, such as pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, and fatigue. Serious allergic reactions are very rare.
Conclusion:
- Diphtheria is a serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin.
- It is a preventable and treatable disease, but it can still be fatal, especially in children and older adults.
Source – The Hindu
