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Diphtheria: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care

Diphtheria is an acute contagious disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. It is characterized by a gray membrane that can form in the throat and airways, causing breathing difficulties. Symptoms include sore throat and fever. It spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Treatment involves antitoxins to neutralize toxins, antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and supportive care like oxygen and suctioning of secretions. Complications can include myocarditis, neuritis, pneumonia, and organ damage if not properly treated. Prevention is through vaccination.

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Mariane Elgario
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95 views10 pages

Diphtheria: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care

Diphtheria is an acute contagious disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. It is characterized by a gray membrane that can form in the throat and airways, causing breathing difficulties. Symptoms include sore throat and fever. It spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Treatment involves antitoxins to neutralize toxins, antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and supportive care like oxygen and suctioning of secretions. Complications can include myocarditis, neuritis, pneumonia, and organ damage if not properly treated. Prevention is through vaccination.

Uploaded by

Mariane Elgario
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DI

P
H
By:
T ELGARIO, Mariane
H IBAAN, Shyluck May
E RABOY, Mario Elizer
RI RAPACON, Jobelle

A
DEFINITION:
 acute contagious disease characterized by
general toxemia emanating from localized
inflammatory process characterized by the
formation of “pseudomembrane” commonly
in the face area & tonsils, & the elaboration
of a powerful exotoxin affecting the impt.
viscera as the heart & kidneys & the
peripheral nervous system.
CAUSATIVE AGENT:
 Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Klebs Loffler
bacillus > gram positive rod
RESERVOIR: Man
SOURCE: Discharges or secretions from nasopharynx
MODES OF TRANSMISSION:
Direct contact – discharges form respiratory
passages; saliva
Indirect contact – though various articles including
toys & clothing contaminated by infected
individual
INCUBATION PERIOD:
1 to 7 days
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY:
2 to 4 weeks, average: 2 weeks
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
 fever,
 red sore throat,
 weakness,
 Headache
 difficulty swallowing, or
 difficulty breathing
 dryness & excoration of upper lip & nares
 bull neck appearance
 Laryngeal stridor
 Hoarseness of voice

“PSEUDOMEMBRANE” > Hallmark sign ( thick gray


covering in the back of throat that can make breathing
difficult)
DIAGNOSTIC EXAM:
 Nose & throat culture – there must be 3
consecutive (-) result
 Schick’s test – determine susceptibility &
immunity to diphtheria.
 Molony test – determine hypersensitivity to
diphtheria anti-toxin
TREATMENT:
 Drugs
 (ADS) anti-diphtheria serum à to neutralize
toxins = IM, IV ANST
 Antibiotics – Penicillin G. Sodium, Eythromycin to
kill the causative agent
 Supportive
 O2 inhalation
 Tracheostomy
 Suction secretions
NURSING CARE:
 TSB for fever
 Provide liquid to soft diet with minimal
CHON & sufficient CHO
 Strict isolation
 CBR – no early ambulation
 Increase fluid intake
 Small frequent feedings
 Maintain patent airway
 Proper disposal of naso-pharyngeal secretions
 Diversional activities to children
COMPLICATIONS:
 Myocarditis – dec apical pulse < 60 lead to
cardiac arrest.
 Peripheral neuritis
 Broncho pneumonia
 Encephalitis
 Cerebral Infarction
 Renal Function
 Shock
PREVENTION:
 Avoid MOT
 Immunization – DPT 0.5cc IM – vastus lateralis
given at the same time with OPV 6,10,14 wks
after DPT don’t massage to prevent lump
forming
put hot moist compress if with lump formation
 expect fever within 24 hrs -- give Paracetamol
q4hours for 24 hours
 check patient's temp before giving DPT
 don't give succeeding doses if patient
experienced convulsion

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