Diptheria - the Disease
The word "diphtheria" derives from a Greek word meaning "a piece of leather", referring to the hard membrane that forms on the parts affected. It is an acute bacterial infection, is highly infectious and can be caught by sharing towels, cutlery or drinking vessels. The incubation period is 2-5 days and you could remain infectious for 4 weeks. The disease is characterized by a false membrane that develops in the throat, and sometimes inside the nose. The membrane covering the tonsils is shiny, yellow-white-grey, and jelly-like.
Incidence
Diphtheria is now an extremely rare disease, but outbreaks still occur in the Caribbean, Latin America, the former Soviet republics, Algeria , India and China . Incidence is less than 5 cases a year in the USA , and only 4 cases were reported during 2002 amongst travellers returning to the UK . It is even rarer in children aged under one year. In the UK between 1986 and 2002, in cases where the diphtheria bacteria was isolated, 86% presented only as a mild sore throat or as having no symptoms at all.
Symptoms
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The disease usually starts with a very sore throat, headache and raised temperature.
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Neck glands are swollen and painful, and the breath is very smelly.
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The larynx narrows, causing noisy breathing; and this is the danger, because the membrane may restrict breathing.
Complications
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Protein in urine & a red rash: this is because although diphtheria bacteria localise in the throat, they are also found in the blood and produce toxins which affect the kidneys and skin.
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Heart muscles may be affected.
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Low blood pressure.
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Hospital treatment for respiratory obstruction involves tracheostomy.
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Neurological damage from bacteria entering the nervous system.