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Diphtheria

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span> <p> Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by a bacterium called <em>Corynebacterium Diphtheriae</em>. </p><p>The infection spreads from person to person through droplets released into the air when a person coughs or sneezes, as well as through direct, prolonged contact with an infected person. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Signs and symptoms</h2><p>Signs and symptoms usually start two – five days after exposure and range from mild to severe. </p><h4>Look out for the following:</h4><ul><li>fever and chills </li><li>sore throat </li><li>loss of appetite </li><li>nausea and vomiting </li><li>a thick white or grey coating or membrane on the back of the nose or throat that can block the airway and make it hard to swallow or breathe </li><li>Swelling of the glands in the neck</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Who is at risk?</h2><ul><li>Unvaccinated children or children who did not receive all the immunisation on the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/family-care-and-support/caring-for-your-child/childrens-health">Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI)</a>. </li><li>Vaccinated adults exposed to the bacterium as immunity decreases with time. </li><li>People living in densely populated areas or crowded conditions where the infection is present.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Treatment</h2><p>If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms or you have been in contact with a confirmed case, visit your nearest healthcare facility immediately.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Prevention</h2> <ul><li>Diphtheria is preventable with routine vaccinations for children at the age of 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. A booster vaccine is administered at 18 months, 6 and 12 years of age. </li><li>The vaccine is safe, effective and available free of charge at all <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">City clinics and healthcare facilities</a>.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Complications</h2><p>The most serious complications include:</p><ul><li>difficulty breathing (respiratory obstruction) </li><li>inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall (Myocarditis) that can lead to heart failure and death.</li></ul><p>For more information, visit the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) website: <a href="https://www.nicd.ac.za/" target="_blank">www.nicd.ac.za<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p>

Find out about the symptoms of diphtheria, as well as the prevention and treatment methods.