Disease Information

Diphtheria

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What is Diphtheria? What are the symptoms of Diphtheria? What is the global scenario like? What is Diphtheria's status in Pakistan? How do you prevent Diphtheria?

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is caused by infection with a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae), or occasionally by Corynebacterium ulcerans (C. ulcerans). These bacteria are usually spread in droplets of moisture coughed into the air. The bacteria then multiply in the mouth or throat of the person who breathes them in.

What are the symptoms of Diphtheria?

A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils, a sore throat and hoarseness, swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, nasal discharge, fever and chills, and general malaise.

What is the global scenario like?

In the 1920s, when data were first gathered, there were approximately 150,000 cases and 13,000 deaths reported annually worldwide. After diphtheria immunization was introduced, the number of cases gradually fell to about 19,000 by 1945. Before routine immunization was implemented in the 1940s and 1950s, diphtheria occurred throughout the world in large cyclical epidemics. In 2012, the WHO estimated that about 2,500 deaths occur annually worldwide.

What is Diphtheria's status in Pakistan?

Reported diphtheria cases in Pakistan have remained low compared to the pre-vaccine era, thanks to sustained coverage of the DPT vaccine through the routine EPI programme. Continued high immunization coverage across Sindh remains essential to keeping diphtheria rare and preventing localized outbreaks.

How do you prevent Diphtheria?

Vaccination consists of three 0.5 ml doses of DPT given by intramuscular injection to children under one year of age: the 1st dose at six weeks, 2nd dose at ten weeks, and 3rd dose at fourteen weeks. DPT (also known as DTP and DTwP) refers to a class of combination vaccines that protect against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus. The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids together with killed whole cells of the bacterium that causes pertussis.