Did You Know How Deadly Diphtheria Can be?
July 23, 2010 by admin
Filed under General Health
A disease caused by bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheria can be deadly. Commonly, it is termed as Diphtheria, which is to be discussed all about in the following article. It is a kind of bacterial infection that often makes the breathing difficult. It is a kind of gray covering, which develops on the back of the throat. In most cases, it has been found to infect the skin as well. Years back it was a threat for the children. However, vaccination has brought the situation under control.
Where do the Diphtheria causing bacteria come from?
Diphtheria causing bacteria can be located in the moisture droplets of cough. These bacteria get multiplied in mouth’s mucus membrane leading to inflammation. These may be dangerous since few of these bacteria even are known to discharge fatal toxin. At times these are held responsible for the damages in kidneys, heart and nervous system. In few cases skin may get affected in the milder form of the bacteria. These are found mostly in adult having poor hygiene. People belonging to the age below 5 years and above 60 years are more prone to this disease. It mainly affects skin, throat and larynx.
Causes and Symptoms of Diphtheria:
The bacteria get transmitted by respiratory droplets airborne from the patients or through intimate contact. Contaminated objects too, transmit the disease. However, it has also been found that food contaminated by these bacteria do not infect much. The toxin released by these bacteria may cause deadly complication resulting in failure of heart, nervous system and kidneys. Blood stream also acts as a path way through which the bacteria get transmitted.
It first targets the nose followed by skin and then skin lesions. People prone to this disease should get themselves immunized in order to keep away from the risk. The main symptoms of the Diphtheria are sore throat, fever and swollen lymph glands in the neck. Breathing becomes tough due to the covering of grey membrane.
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