A year ago, Indonesia was shocked by the government’s regulation requiring diphtheria vaccination. However, the public itself still does not know much about diphtheria. Well, here you will find out what diphtheria is, the symptoms, and the causes. Come on, see the full explanation here!
What is Diphtheria?
Many Indonesian people do diphtheria vaccination, but they do not know what diphtheria is. Diphtheria itself is a contagious infection caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium. Well, this bacteria will attack the mucous membranes in the nose and throat and can cause skin infections (in rare cases).
In severe cases, diphtheria can spread to other organs of the body, such as the heart and nervous system. Well, that’s why a diphtheria vaccine is needed to prevent the spread of this serious infection caused by the potentially life-threatening Corynebacterium bacteria.
What are the Symptoms and Signs of Diphtheria?
Usually, diphtheria symptoms will appear within 2-5 days after someone is exposed to the Corynebacterium bacteria. Mild symptoms that usually arise are the same as the common flu. Some symptoms of diphtheria that need to be watched out for are:
- Sore throat.
- The throat is covered with a thick, gray membrane.
- Fever and chills.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
- A loud cough.
- Blue skin color.
- There are problems with breathing and swallowing.
- Discomfort in the body.
- Changes in vision.
- Continuous salivation.
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Signs of shock, such as pale, cold skin, cold sweats, and a faster heartbeat.
In rare cases, you can also experience skin diphtheria if you have poor hygiene and live in a tropical area. Skin diphtheria often causes sores (ulcers) on the affected skin.
What Causes Diphtheria?
Apart from being caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium, here are some factors that trigger diphtheria, namely:
- Using items that have been contaminated by bacteria, for example, towels.
- Direct contact with wounds (ulcers) on the skin of someone with a skin infection caused by diphtheria.
- Droplets of saliva from an infected person are released when they sneeze or cough.
- This transmission is common in sufferers who live in densely populated and unclean environments.
How Does Diphtheria Spread in the Body?
Corynebacterium bacteria will produce toxins that will kill healthy cells in the throat, so that the cells die. Well, these dead cells will form a membrane or thin layer in the throat to become gray. The toxins produced will also spread in the bloodstream and damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.
Because diphtheria can occur without showing any symptoms, sufferers are often unaware that they have been infected. In addition, if they do not undergo treatment or vaccination immediately, they have the potential to transmit diphtheria to others.
How to Prevent Diphtheria?
There are several steps in preventing diphtheria, including:
- The best way to prevent this condition is with the Td or Tdap vaccine. This vaccine must be repeated every 10 years.
- Keep the home environment clean, so that the growth of viruses, germs, and bacteria is minimized.
