Diphtheria is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Corynebacterium Diphtheriae that should not be underestimated. This disease initially attacks the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. But in advanced stages, diphtheria can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system of sufferers. Even with treatment, diphtheria can be fatal, especially in children.
One of the most effective diphtheria prevention efforts is through vaccination. Without vaccination, the body can be susceptible to diphtheria-causing bacteria.
Is it true that unvaccinated people are at risk of contracting diphtheria?
Diphtheria is still common in developing countries where immunization rates are low. According to the Mayo Clinic, children under the age of 5 and people over the age of 60 in developing countries are at high risk of contracting diphtheria.
Well, here is a group of individuals who are at higher risk of contracting diphtheria, namely:
- Children and adults who are not vaccinated.
- People who live in crowded or unhealthy conditions.
- People who travel to areas where diphtheria infections are more common.
Given the risks above, the vaccine is considered very important and in fact, people who have not received the vaccine are very susceptible to contracting diphtheria. The diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). This vaccine is known as the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine.
The latest versions of the vaccine are known as the DTaP vaccine for children and the Tdap vaccine for teens and adults. The vaccine consists of a series of five shots, usually given in the arm or thigh to children at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months through 4-6 years.
Diphtheria vaccine is effective in preventing diphtheria although there may be some side effects, such as mild fever, discomfort, drowsiness or tenderness at the injection site after the DTaP shot in children. DTaP vaccine very rarely causes serious complications such as allergic reactions (hives or rash developing within minutes of injection) in children.
Getting to Know the Dangers of Diphtheria More Deeply
Diphtheria is a condition that is usually spread through person-to-person contact or through contact with objects that have been contaminated with the bacteria, such as used cups or tissues. You can also get diphtheria if you are around someone who is infected. When someone with the disease sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose, you are at risk of contracting it if you inhale or simply touch the droplets.
Even if an infected person does not show signs or symptoms of diphtheria, they can still spread the bacterial infection for up to six weeks after the initial infection. The bacteria most commonly infect the nose and throat. Once infected, the bacteria release a harmful substance called a toxin. The toxin spreads through the bloodstream, producing a thick, gray coating on areas of the body such as the nose, throat, tongue, and airways.
In some cases, the toxin can also damage other organs, including the heart, brain, and kidneys. This can lead to potentially life-threatening complications, such as myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, paralysis, and kidney failure.
