childhood diseases -
diphtheria

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that generally affects your throat, but can affect your skin. Your child would contract diphtheria by being in direct contact with someone who has diphtheria or is carrying the diphtheria bacteria. She could also contract diphtheria by drinking contaminated milk.

Symptoms appear two to six days after your child is first infected by the bacteria. She will have a sore throat, a general feeling of weakness and a mild fever. Later, a soft grey membrane will form across her throat. This will restrict the air passages, making it difficult for your child to breathe or swallow. 50% of patients that reach this stage will die. The glands in your child’s neck will swell, her breathing will become noisy, her voice husky, and her breath foul-smelling. Bacterial toxins are released into the blood. These cause headaches, a possible red rash and tiredness. Death from heart failure or collapse can follow within four days.

Deaths from diphtheria in the Western world are now extremely rare. There has been 1 death in the UK, between 1985 and 1999. This was a 14 year-old boy who had visited Pakistan, and had no record of immunisation.

What is the treatment for diphtheria?

Diphtheria is successfully treated with antibiotics. Complete recovery requires prolonged bed rest.