Diphtheria is a contagious infection of the nose and throat caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that create toxins. These microbes usually affect the respiratory system. The bacteria consume solid tissues in the respiratory organs. Within a few days, the dead tissue becomes a thick, dark covering that can develop in the throat or nose. This disease can cause shortness of breath, sore throat, gentle fever, and enlarged organs in the neck. Diphtheria treatment is required from a specialist to make your body's essential life process, respiration, run smoothly.
Treatment of Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a serious sickness that requires medical help. Specialists treat it right away and carefully. Doctors first check that the airway isn't obstructed or diminished. Sometimes, they might have to put a breathing tube in the throat to ensure that the airway remains open until it is less inflamed. Diphtheria treatment includes:
- Antibiotics, for example, penicillin or erythromycin, assist with killing microorganisms in the body clearing up the disease. Antibiotics decrease the time that somebody with Diphtheria is infectious.
- An antitoxin: The administration of diphtheria antitoxin effectively inhibits the harmful effects of the bacterial toxin on the body. While this treatment is crucial for respiratory diphtheria infections, it is seldom employed for diphtheria skin infections.
Before giving an antitoxin, specialists might perform skin sensitivity tests. These are done to ensure the contaminated individual doesn't react to the immunising agent, i.e. antitoxin. If a patient is sensitive, the doctor may suggest that the person should not get the antitoxin.
People affected with diphtheria may be isolated in an intensive care unit because Diphtheria can spread easily from person to person. It can contaminate anyone not vaccinated against the disease.
It’s important to note that diphtheria treatment requires Severe isolation when you are infectious to prevent the spread of the disease. Cautious and frequent hand-washing by everybody in your house significantly restricts the spread of contamination/infection.