Diphtheria is a bacterial infectious disease that to this day can threaten the lives of both children and adults. The disease affects the upper respiratory tract: tonsils and nasopharynx. At the initial stage of the disease, diphtheria can be confused with inflammation of the tonsils. Thanks to mass vaccination of children at an early age, the incidence of diphtheria in Russia remains low.
Course of the disease
The disease begins acutely with a rise in temperature to 39 degrees, there is poor general health, sore throat with a grayish coating on the tonsils. The palate is covered with a dense layer of epithelial cells and most often looks like a film, when you try to remove it, bleeding occurs. There is often a sweetish-putrid odor from the mouth. In most cases, pain may occur when swallowing.
When to call a doctor
During the day, if a child has a sore throat, upon examination, plaque on the tonsils can be detected. See a doctor immediately if symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath (difficulty breathing) or the plaque on the tonsils is yellowish-white.
Doctor’s help
If diphtheria is suspected, immediate hospitalization is necessary. In the infectious diseases hospital, your child will be given an antidote (antitoxin) and prescribed a course of antibiotics. Due to its high contagious nature, the child may be isolated from his parents. It is possible to vaccinate parents and other persons in contact with an infected child against diphtheria.
Incubation period: 2 to 6 days
The patient becomes dangerous to others immediately after infection.