How is diphtheria prevented

A membrane forms that covers the tonsils, pharynx and the palate. It tends to be adherent and gives the appearance of a greyish green sheet across the back of an infected throat. If this membrane is removed a distinct haemorrhagic area is exposed. Lymph glands become swollen and the patient becomes visibly toxic. Nausea and vomiting are frequently seen at this stage and the patient may also complain of the painful inablility to swallow. The infection may spread down into the laryngeal region and cause cough, stridor and respiratory obstruction.

Spontaneous healing can occur but some patients will suffer the full effect of this invasive disease with possible heart block and paralysis. The disease is found throughout the world but is more common in regions where immunisation programmes have been limited or withdrawn due to economic reasons or from civil strife.

Humans are the only known hosts and transmission most commonly occurs by droplet or dust contamination, as the bacteria can withstand drying. The organism has also caused human infection from contaminated unpasteurised milk. Infection can also be transmitted from skin lesions such as scratches or skin abrasions. The resultant sore is usually very painful.

There is usually a vesicle filled with a straw coloured fluid. Hepatitis B. Typhoid fever. Whooping cough. Yellow fever. Influenza flu. Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Diphtheria is a serious disease caused by bacteria. Diphtheria bacteria live in the mouth, throat, and nose of an infected person and can be passed to others by coughing or sneezing.

Diphtheria can lead to severe breathing problems, heart problems, and paralysis. Diphtheria was once a greatly feared illness in the United States. Vaccination is the most effective step you can take to be protected from this serious disease. Diphtheria Vaccine Schedule. All children should get 5 doses of DTaP diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, beginning at 2 months of age.

Trusted Websites. Find fact sheets for parents and children, resources, multimedia, and more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Find easy-to-understand vaccine information for yourself or your loved ones.

A Look at Each Vaccine: Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine. Questions and answers about the disease and vaccines from the Vaccine Education Center. A low-grade fever. Enlarged lymph nodes of the neck. It includes diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Kids who get all four doses before their fourth birthday should get a fifth dose before starting kindergarten or elementary school. The fifth dose isn't necessary if the fourth dose was given on or after the fourth birthday.

This combination vaccine is not given to people over age seven.