Diphtheria

Transmission occurs through droplet infection (coughing, sneezing, kissing). The incubation period (time of absorption of the pathogens into the body until the first symptoms appear) is on average 2 to 6 days. Infection can occur through direct skin contact, by inhaling the spores of the bacteria or by eating diseased animals. The risk of transmission from person to person is low. The incubation period is 2-7 days, usually about 48 hours.

Toxic diphtheria
The diagnosis and suspicion are made "clinically" on the basis of the symptoms. The pathogen is detected as a smear in a culture medium. An antitoxin is administered as soon as there is a suspicion. If the airways are blocked by the swelling of the trachea, a tracheotomy must be performed. Strict bed rest for 5 to 6 weeks is necessary. The intensity of the symptoms depends on how strongly toxins are produced by the bacteria. These toxins lead to cell damage or cell destruction. They also affect distant organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. The intensity of the symptoms depends on how strongly toxins/poisons are formed by the bacteria. These toxins lead to cell damage or cell destruction. They also affect distant organs such as the heart, kidney and liver.

Local pharyngeal diphtheria begins with fatigue, nausea, pain in the throat and swallowing, abdominal pain and pain in the limbs. At first, fever is mild, later it increases.

Nasal diphtheria occurs mainly in infants and small children. Symptoms are difficult nasal breathing, restlessness, disturbed food intake and serous or purulent bloody rhinitis and crusts at the nasal entrance.

Laryngeal diphtheria usually occurs as a consequence of pharyngeal diphtheria and manifests itself in a barking cough, increasing hoarseness/voicelessness and difficult breathing with whistling noises. In the advanced stage, there is intensive and rapid spread of plaques ("membrane formation") on the tonsils, palate and uvula or the nasal mucosa.

The diagnosis and suspicion are made "clinically" on the basis of the symptoms. The pathogen is detected as a smear in a culture medium. An antitoxin is administered as soon as there is a suspicion. If the airways are blocked by the swelling of the trachea, a tracheotomy must be performed. Strict bed rest for 5 to 6 weeks is necessary.

Diphtheria can be prevented by vaccination. People who have contact with people with the disease must be specifically protected by a doctor or have themselves checked.