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version) for printing.
What
is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is an
acute bacterial disease that usually affects the tonsils, throat,
nose or skin. It is extremely rare in the United States.
Who gets
diphtheria?
Diphtheria is most
common where people live in crowded conditions. Unimmunized
children under 15 years of age are likely to contract diphtheria.
The disease is often found among adults whose immunization was
neglected, and is most severe in unimmunized or inadequately
immunized individuals.
How is diphtheria
spread?
Diphtheria is transmitted
to others through close contact with discharge from an infected
person s nose, throat, skin, eyes and lesions.
What are
the symptoms of diphtheria?
There are two types
of diphtheria. One type involves the nose and throat, and the
other involves the skin. Symptoms include sore throat, low-grade
fever and enlarged lymph nodes located in the neck. Skin lesions
may be painful, swollen and reddened.
How soon
do symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually
appear two to four days after infection, with a range of one
to ten days.
When and
for how long is a person able to spread diphtheria?
People who are infected
with the diphtheria germ may be contagious for up to two weeks,
but seldom more than four weeks. If the patient is treated with
appropriate antibiotics, the contagious period can be limited
to less than four days.
Does past
infection with diphtheria make a person immune?
Recovery from diphtheria
is not always followed by lasting immunity.
Is there
a vaccine for diphtheria?
Diphtheria vaccine
is usually combined with tetanus vaccine and acellular pertussis
vaccine to form a triple vaccine known as DTaP. This vaccine
should be given at two, four, six and 15-18 months of age, and
between four and six years of age. A combination of tetanus
vaccine and diphtheria vaccine (Td) should be given every 10
years to maintain immunity.
How can diphtheria
be prevented?
The single most effective
control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of
immunization in the community. Other methods of control include
prompt treatment of cases and a community surveillance program.
What is the
treatment for diphtheria?
Certain antibiotics,
such as penicillin and erythromycin, can be prescribed for the
treatment of diphtheria. A diphtheria antitoxin is also used
for treatment.
What can
be the effect of not being treated for diphtheria?
If diphtheria goes
untreated, serious complications such as paralysis, heart failure
and blood disorders may occur. Death occurs in approximately
5 to 10 percent of all cases.
Where can
I get more information?
* Your personal
doctor
* Your local health department, listed in your telephone directory
* The Utah Department of Health, Offie of Epidemiology, (801)
538-6191
UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
July 2003
