Reduction of Diphtheria through Vaccination.

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Diphtheria is a very serious and highly contagious infection that is caused when the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae releases its toxins. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a nonmotile, nonencapsulated, gram-positive bacillus that has a club-shaped appearance. Diptheria is in general, an acute respiratory infection, that is characterized by the formation of a pseudomembrane in the throat, but there is a possibility of cutaneous infection.

Humans are the only host of this bacteria, it occurs mainly in the tropics but is available worldwide but with cases rarely found in the United States. After vaccination was introduced, the occurrence of the disease has greatly reduced. Before 1920, there were around 200,000 annual reported cases, but after immunization started, there has been an annual decline in the disease, and now about 1,000 of the case has been reported on an annual basis. A large number of the reported cases are found in low socioeconomic status and those who live in overly crowded regions, those who lack immunizations, travel history from endemic regions, and comorbid conditions. The numbers are however higher in regions like Southeast Asia and Africa.

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The symptoms of Diptheria usually appear on the skin and in the respiratory system, once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it would result in a case of heart failure, paralysis, fatality, and breathing difficulty. Symptoms would typically include a thick, gray coating in the nose and in the throat alongside sore throat, weakness, swollen glands, and mild fever. In a case where the condition affects the skin, then ulcers and open sores could appear.

Specific signs and symptoms of diphtheria as displayed through symptoms are highly dependent on the part of the body that is being affected, remember we mentioned earlier that either the respiratory system or skin could be affected in this case. The incubation phase would normally take around 2-5 days, but it could also last for as long as 10 days. After about 2 or 3 days, the toxin released will kill the healthy tissue in the affected person's respiratory system, leading to a thick, gray coating that grows in the nose or in the throat. Doctors often refer to the coating as pseudomembrane. If the membrane extends to the larynx, then barking cough and hoarseness would become more likely, as well as the danger of complete obstruction of the airway. The membrane could extend farther down the respiratory system towards the direction of the lungs.

When there is no treatment, then diphtheria could get really severe for up to 50% of people, but the presence of vaccinations in the United States has significantly helped with the significant reduction of people who contract diphtheria. Even with this existing fact, doctors could still recommend treatment for people who have come in contact with those who have it. A person could contract diphtheria through direct physical contact with infected skin lesions, respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing, and then secretions from the nose and throat, like mucus and saliva. The infection could get transmitted from a person affected to any mucous membrane in another person. Some associated potential complications of diphtheria are; neuritis, kidney failure, paralysis, and myocarditis.

There are two major components that are aimed at countering the bacterial effect of diphtheria, we have; Antitoxins and Antibiotics.

Antibiotics in the form of penicillin or Erythromycin could eliminate the bacteria and prevent them from spreading. Antibiotics can treat diphtheria which affects the respiratory system and the skin.
Antitoxin, also known as anti-diphtheritic serum, neutralizes the toxin of the bacteria. Doctors usually make use of antitoxin to treat diphtheria which has affected the respiratory system.

Vaccination is one of the most effective methods of prevention, many countries have opted for the use of vaccines to help with the prevention of diphtheria globally, there are four major vaccines from a purified toxin that could protect against diphtheria, it includes;

DTaP: This creates protection against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
DT: Protects against diphtheria and tetanus.
Tdap: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Td: It protects against diphtheria and tetanus.

There are upper respiratory tract infections that have symptoms similar to Diphtheria, but there are different, so care has to be taken during the medical examination so they are not confused with one another.

Retropharyngeal Abscess, manifests with a high spiking fever that needs immediate urgent.
Pharyngitis, comes with a sudden sore throat that is often caused by fever and cough.
Infectious Mononucleosis, usually manifests itself with severe fatigue, sore throat, cough, and anorea

With an appropriate differentiation of these listed infection from diphtheria, the treatment would not be mistaken for another.