Diphtheria is a very contagious disease caused by certain germs occasionally found in the throats of apparently normal people! These are known as carriers of the germs. They do not really have the disease. Sometimes the germs are found in another area, such as in open wounds. Years ago diphtheria attacked thousands of children. It is rarely seen today cause many children are now protected by DPT shots during infancy. Milk and another food may contain diphtheria organisms, a good reason why all milk for human use should either be pasteurized or boiled.
Complications:
Children with large tonsils and adenoids are more susceptible to diphtheria, generally if they have not been given the DPT shots in infancy. Greatest danger arises from blockage of the windpipe due to infection in the throat. This reasons strangling, and the patient may die unless quickly relieved by a tracheotomy. Diphtheria also damages the heart, the brain, the kidneys. Diphtheria germs produce powerful toxins or poisons which damage near-by cells, even affect distant organs, such as the kidneys. The toxins are carried to these areas by the blood stream. Heart failure may occur reason the muscle fibres become weakened and are unable to contract as they should.
Course of Diphtheria:
Diphtheria begins with a sore throat within a small day after the patient has been exposed to the disease. A greyish membrane forms in the throat; there is pain and difficulty in swallowing. As soon as the child becomes dangerously ill with a high fever, and breathing may be obstructed because of the swelling in the throat. Big tender glands develop in the neck, and the ears may be tender and inflamed. Pneumonia and bronchitis are common, but very dangerous complication is myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart. The nerves of the throat may be partially paralysed, and the kidneys damaged, sometimes permanently.
Treatment:
All young child should be protected against diphtheria by means of DPT shots. If an epidemic of diphtheria, all children under two years of age should be given antitoxin without delay. Patients with diphtheria should be kept in bed and isolated from the community, preferably in a hospital specialising in the treatment of contagious diseases. Tube feeding and continuous oxygen may be necessary in the more severe cases. Penicillin and erythromycin are of value in treating the complications. The patient should remain in bed for several weeks, and should not be allowed up still the electrocardiogram has returned to normal. Recovery is often slow, particularly when the heart is involved. Big doses of vitamins B and C are advisable in all such cases.
