Diphtheria is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae which is susceptible to attacking children under the age of 5 years. Similar to adults, diphtheria in children is a highly contagious disease through sneezing, coughing, or when they laugh and spit out saliva. Before the vaccine was discovered, diphtheria in children was a terrible threat to parents. Recognize the following symptoms!
These Are the Symptoms of Diphtheria in Children
In the early stages of the emergence of symptoms, many parents misdiagnose this disease. Not a few parents consider it as a common sore throat, because the symptoms caused are mild fever and swelling in the neck. In fact, sore throat and diphtheria are two very different health problems.
What distinguishes it is the appearance of a grayish-white membrane in the nose or throat. When these initial symptoms occur in children, they will have difficulty swallowing and breathing. In addition, diphtheria in children will cause a number of symptoms, such as:
- A white membrane that bleeds easily.
- Vision problems, such as double vision.
- Speech becomes slurred.
- Skin looks pale and cold.
- Heart beats faster.
- A cold sweat.
- Feeling restless.
In severe cases, the toxin that causes diphtheria can spread from the throat throughout the body via the bloodstream. The toxin will then damage the working system of vital organs in the body, such as the heart, kidneys, and the nervous system which is characterized by paralysis.
If the symptoms that appear are not treated properly, loss of life is the most severe complication that can occur. Because of its severe complications, the mother can take her directly to the nearest hospital when she finds a series of symptoms.
Diphtheria can also appear without the symptoms mentioned. When children suffer from this condition, they have the potential to transmit it to others within the next 4 weeks. When infected, a person has 2-4 days before feeling a series of symptoms. So, don’t underestimate this disease, and find the right treatment steps, okay!
Are there any preventive steps that can be taken?
Diphtheria in children is indeed very scary, because the most severe complications can cause death. Handling it cannot be done carelessly, and can be easily prevented by carrying out diphtheria immunization regularly. Diphtheria immunization is given under the name of DPT vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), which is carried out at least three times, as basic immunization.
After doing so, your little one must undergo repeat immunization once, with an interval of one year after DPT 3 is done. After that, the vaccine is given again once before your little one enters school, namely when he/she is 5 years old. If the child has received a number of immunizations, immunizations can still be carried out according to the applicable schedule and interval, regardless of age.
If the child has never been immunized when he/she is under 12 years old, the mother can still do the immunization. If the DPT 4 vaccine is given before the age of 4 years, the next vaccine is given with an interval of 6 months after the DPT 4 vaccine is given. Meanwhile, if the DPT 4 vaccine is given after the child is 4 years old, then the DPT 5 vaccine does not need to be given.
