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Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a disease caused when a bacteria known as Corynebacterium Diphtheriae releases a poison into a person's body.

Diphtheria bacteria live in the mouth, throat, and nose of an infected person and is passed to others by coughing and sneezing. It can also be passed through contact with skin sores or discharge from sores of infected persons directly or indirectly, such as soiled clothing.

 

 

 

Signs & Symptoms:

• cold like symptoms
• sore throat
• mild fever
• chills
• inflammation of the heart
• abnormal heart rhythms
• inflammation of the nerves
• temporary paralysis
• pneumonia
• suffocation
• respiratory failure

Prevention: It is easily prevented with the DTaP vaccine. School age children in the State of Florida are required to be vaccinated for Diphtheria. The vaccination is known as DTaP because it is combined with Tetanus and Pertusis. Since it does not contain live bacteria five doses are needed to ensure immunity.