Diphtheria - What are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Introduction to Diphtheria

Diphtheria is considered as an important threat to health all across the world including US today, where rates for immunizations are high. Diphtheria is the disease, which can not be fully eradicated, it is important to know about this hazardous disease. Although, it is believed that it has occurred since antiquity, the disease was not clearly defined as a separate disease until 1821. It was discovered for the first time by Brentonneau in
France and since then, the causative organism has been identified. Added to this, therapeutic antiserum, prophylactic inoculations and a simple skin test for the immunity have also been developed on the basis of various theories.

Diphtheria falls under ‘bacterial infectious disease’ with primary involvement of the mucus membrane or skin and remote involvement of nervous system and sometimes including heart. The bacteria responsible for the disease are known as Cornyebacterium diphtheriae. C. diphtheriae is a gram positive, pleomorphic and irregularly staining baciilus. This bacterium produces a local inflammatory lesion either in larynx, throat, nose, and trachea and rarely in the eyes, middle ear or on the skin of susceptible individuals.

Ayurveda believes that diphtheria is the result of the vitiation of one of the three bodily humor called as Kapha dosha. According to Ayurveda, its symptoms include swelling anywhere in the body, heaviness in throat and lethargy.

Causes and spreading of Diphtheria

Diphtheria mainly spreads from person to person by direct contact with people who have this condition or carry it. This is contagious and can spread by touching those things that is used or touched by a person suffering form diphtheria such as tissue or cup or simply facing that person. Since the bacteria is located in human’s nose, throat and mouth, it can spread via droplet infections through sneezing and coughs.

The disease can also be spread via bloodstream to other organs within the body itself. Where it goes, spreads infections and significant damage. Although the toxins can damage any damn tissue of the body, sometimes the infection gets so high that it is difficult for a sufferer to breathe properly. In dense area, there are more chances to spread the disease because it spreads via droplet infection.

A person having this condition may get infected within two to four weeks and many times even if a person is not diseased, he carries the infection and remains career for longer. The bacteria responsible for this disease have tendency to live in moist part of the body like throat and mouth where they can locate and damage.

Symptoms in Diphtheria

Though the bacteria localize in the throat, but the toxin produced by these bacteria can causes in other organs also such as kidney, nervous system and heart. It is the major cause of childhood death at one time. Thanks to public health measure, including vaccination and awareness of parents have made it relatively rare.

Bacteria generally attacks throat or tonsils and sometimes larynx or nose. Rarely, as said earlier, skin wound, eyes or the ears can be affected. The typical feature for diphtheria in children is a grey colored membrane that forms at the location or site. There can be moderate fever and there could be nasal discharge that may be blood tinged. There is something called ‘bull neck’ appearance in which, there will be enlarged lymph nodes of the neck giving the ‘bull’s’ neck appearance.

Some of the common symptoms are mentioned below…

Bad sore throat
Drooling (suggesting that airway obstruction is likely to happen)
Swollen glands (lymph)
Bloody and watery drainage from the nose
Mild fever, chills and malaise
Rapid pulse rates
Fatigue and weakness. The child may not be playful
If affecting skin, bluish coloration of the skin
The hallmark of this disease is thick, gray covering that develops at the back of the throat and obstructs the airway and so breathlessness is major problem/symptom
Neck swelling
Nausea and vomiting

Hazard in diphtheria

The disease may turn fatal in children if local extension of the disease, with blockage of airway happens in certain cases.

Most of the death especially in adults, could be due to Toxic Myocardiopathy, which is an effect of the diphtheria’s toxins on the heart. The ratio for this is about 10-25% of cases of diphtheria and generally appears 2-3 weeks later to acute attack. Another organ that is most affected by diphtheria is kidney.

Diagnostic tests in diphtheria

Culture of the throat swabs is one of the most reliable tests for diphtheria. Specimens can also be taken from suspicious lesions that show C. diphtheriae will confirm the diagnosis on firm basis. If doctor suspect diphtheria has reached to heart, an ECG –electro cardio-gram will be very useful knowing the situation of the heart.

Treatment of diphtheria

‘Prevention is better than cure’ and this is very true in case of this disease. Many years back the vaccination for this disease has been invented. DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertusis) are most dangerous diseases and they can be protected by taking the vaccination in childhood. One should go for this to avoid dangerous situations of the health.

This condition may turn into fatal and so needs immediate attention. Initial therapy is based on clinical findings and waiting for confirmed diagnosis may not carry much importance as the treatment is to be started as early as possible. Diphtheria antitoxin is the best that can be given intravenously in the body. Higher antibiotics play significant role in controlling the disease and its symptoms. In some cases, the airway is to be cleared from congestions.

Ayurveda suggests some combination/formula that includes tankan, shringa bhasma, kasturi bhairav etc. However, many other treatments can be adopted looking at the disease and diseased.