Diphtheria is a disease that causes disturbances of the mucous membranes of the nose and also the throat. Diphtheria is caused by a bacterial infection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae . Diphtheria in children generally occurs in those who do not have good nutrition, live in dirty environments, and have no complete immunization history.
Diphtheria in children needs immediate treatment. The disease can be transmitted rapidly through physical contact with a person affected by diphtheria, bacterial contaminated stuff, or by splashes of coughing and sneezing that are inadvertently inhaled.
Various Symptoms That Accompany Diphtheria in Children
Symptoms of diphtheria generally appear about 2-5 days after infection. Some patients may not experience any symptoms, but some may experience mild symptoms similar to the common cold.
The most typical symptom of diphtheria is the formation of a thick gray layer in the throat and tonsils. Other diphtheria symptoms are:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Hoarseness
- Increased heart rate
- A loud voice can be heard while breathing
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Swelling of the palate.
If you or your child has any of these symptoms, check with your doctor immediately for proper treatment before any further complications arise.
Complications that can be caused by diphtheria are very dangerous. Includes inflammation of the muscles and heart valves, heart rhythm disturbances , until the respiratory tract is covered by a life-threatening throat membrane.
Know Treatment of Diphtheria in Children and How to Prevent it
To confirm the diagnosis of diphtheria in children, the doctor will take samples from the gray layer on the tonsils and throat caused by bacterial growth. In addition, there is the possibility that the doctor will remove some of the gray layer, because it can inhibit the way of breathing.
In children and adults who are proven to be infected with diphtheria, need to be admitted to the hospital, and will be isolated in the intensive care unit because diphtheria can spread easily.
Doctors will treat diphtheria in children depending on their symptoms, age, and general health condition. The drugs are basically consist of two kinds, namely:
- Antitoxin
These drugs are injected into the blood vessels to neutralize the toxins diphtheria already circulating in the body. Before giving antitoxin, your doctor will perform an allergy test to ensure that people infected with diphtheria have no allergy to antitoxin.
- Antibiotics
Diphtheria is also treated with antibiotics , such as penicillin or erythromycin. These antibiotics can kill bacteria in the body and clear the infection.
Preventing Diphtheria with Vaccination
Prevention of diphtheria in children can be done through diphtheria vaccine . Typically DPT vaccinations (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) are used . Vaccination is usually given five times in children aged 2-6 years, ie at age 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 18 months and 5 years.
In addition to children, diphtheria vaccination for adults should also be done. Given most cases of adult diphtheria occur in people who have never received a vaccine at all.
Be aware, diphtheria vaccine only lasts for 10 years, so your child needs to vaccinate again around the age of 12 years. For adults, it is recommended that you receive adiphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT) booster once. Then repeat the diphtheria tetanus (DT) vaccine every 10 years.
Although most children have good tolerance for diphtheria vaccine, but sometimes this vaccine can cause mild side effects, such as redness, pain at the injection site and low-grade fever. Although rare, there are also severe complications that can occur, namely allergic reactions.
Diphtheria in children is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. Do not let the symptoms drag on, in order to avoid dangerous diphtheria complications.
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