{"id":9606,"date":"2019-08-10T23:36:12","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T23:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9606"},"modified":"2021-04-25T15:51:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T15:51:15","slug":"15-general-causes-of-diptheria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-general-causes-of-diptheria\/","title":{"rendered":"15 General Causes of Diphtheria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can be quite serious. It typically affects the mucous membranes located in the throat and the nose. There are several symptoms of diphtheria. Unfortunately, they mimic those of the common cold and even the flu. However, the main sign of diphtheria is a grayish colored material that is thick and covers the back of the throat. If this is left untreated it can block the airway, making it hard to breathe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, in the United States, diphtheria is rather rare. It is also not common in other developed countries. This is because of vaccination against the disease. There are medications available that can help to treat diphtheria. However, if not treated quickly and sometimes even with treatment, diphtheria can become deadly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the disease is not as common in most developed countries, if you are traveling around the world, there is an increased chance of being contaminated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the general causes of diphtheria to consider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Corynebacterium Diphtheriae<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Corynebacterium diphtheriae<\/a> is the bacterium that causes a person to develop the symptoms of diphtheria. Often, C. diphtheriae will multiply in the mucous membranes located in the throat and the nose. For this reason, many people simply believe that they have a common cold or that they have an upper respiratory infection when they start to experience some of the symptoms that are caused by these bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between a cold or the flu and diphtheria is that when C. diphtheriae has started to spread in the throat a person will notice a grayish coating. This becomes thicker as the bacteria starts to spread. If this is not treated properly it can cause a person to have difficulty breathing as the airways become blocked. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention right away if you think that you have been exposed to the C diphtheria bacterium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Airborne Droplets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person who is infected with diphtheria sneezes <\/a>or coughs, it can release a mist of droplets that are contaminated. When this occurs, people who are located nearby may inhale C. diphtheriae bacterium. This is one of the fastest ways that diphtheria can spread, especially in situations that are crowded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good hygiene, such as covering up when you sneeze or cough is important when it comes to containing this disease. However, in large group situations, it can be nearly impossible to contain the bacteria. This is one of the reasons that it is important to make sure that you are vaccinated against this disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vaccination can greatly lower your risk of developing diphtheria. The vaccination also prevents outbreaks of this illness and is the reason why there are far fewer cases of this illness than in years past. Although outbreaks still do occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Contaminated Personal Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way that a person may catch diphtheria is through the passing of personal objects. If you handle a tissue or drink from a glass from a person who has the infection<\/a>, your risk of getting the disease increases. Coming into close contact with other personal items of an individual who is suffering from or carrying the bacteria that causes diphtheria can also cause a person to come down with the illness as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These items may be laden with bacteria secretions and when a person comes into contact with these, the bacteria can find its way into the body. While shared household items such as toys or towels are not often carriers of the bacteria, they can be. It is important to make sure that you are sanitizing items in your home and taking care to wash hands frequently in order to prevent the spread of this disease throughout your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Immunizations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who do not keep their immunizations <\/a>up to date are at a higher risk of becoming infected with the bacteria that cause diphtheria. In locations where the diphtheria vaccination is considered standard, the disease is really only a threat to inadequately and unvaccinated individuals in the area. Throughout the United States and Western Europe, children have been vaccinated against this disease for many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, there are rarely any cases of it in these countries. However, diphtheria is still very common in developing countries where the rates of immunizations remain low. The best way to protect yourself from becoming infected with this disease is to make sure that you receive the proper vaccination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure of whether or not you and your children have been vaccinated for diphtheria it is important to ask your doctor to find out. Proper immunization is extremely important when it comes to eradicating this disease and preventing it from spreading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Living Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another general cause of diphtheria <\/a>is simply the conditions that people live in. Living in an area that is overcrowded can increase your risk of getting diphtheria. In addition, areas that are unsanitary can also be a cause of this disease as these unsanitary conditions allow the bacteria to spread and grow. When you are in a crowded environment there could be carriers of the bacteria anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people have a bacterial infection and do not even realize it as they do not have any of the common symptoms of the disease. Even if they are considered asymptomatic, these people can still spread the disease by leaving the bacteria wherever they go. Washing hands frequently and taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to prevent getting this disease. Simply being sneezed or coughed on by someone with the disease can allow the bacteria to enter your body and may cause you to become quite ill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Traveling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling outside of the United States or Western Europe, it is very important to make sure that you have been vaccinated for diphtheria before you leave. Health officials in the United States and Western Europe have had the vaccination <\/a>available for decades. It is because of this that it very rarely shows up in these countries. However, if you are going to a third world country or a country that is still developing, the vaccination against diphtheria is not as common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This increases the risk of people carrying the bacteria and it spreading to you. If you are vaccinated against the disease you have very little to worry about. However, you still could come down with some of the symptoms of the disease, but they are more likely to be less severe than if you were not vaccinated at all. Make sure you discuss these vaccinations with your doctor before your travel dates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Symptoms and Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is important to understand how diphtheria is spread and what the symptoms <\/a>are in order to help reduce your risk of developing this disease it is important to make sure that you are properly vaccinated. Diphtheria causing bacteria can produce a toxin. This toxin will damage the tissue located within the immediate area of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is typically within the throat and the nose. The site where the infection occurs a gray-colored membrane that is made up of bacteria, dead cells, and other substances will form. When this occurs in the nose and the throat it can make it difficult to breathe. Diphtheria can also cause damage to the heart if it spreads through the bloodstream. It can damage the tissues inside of the body. The bacteria can also cause damage to the nerves. Complications including potential death can be caused by this dangerous disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Preventing Diphtheria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before there were antibiotics available, diphtheria was quite common among younger children. However, the disease is now treatable and also can be prevented by using the vaccine. Typically, the diphtheria vaccination will be combined with other vaccines for whooping cough and tetanus<\/a>. This vaccine is a three in one vaccination that is often referred to as the DTaP vaccine when given to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is called the Tdap vaccine when given to adults and adolescents. Doctors in the United States recommend that children receive DTaP vaccination while they are infants. It is provided in a five-shot series and most often given when the child is 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and then again when they are between four to six years old. The vaccination is very effective at preventing diphtheria. However, there are some side effects including mild fever, drowsiness, fussiness, and tenderness at the injection site of the shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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