Diphtheria is a dangerous disease of an infectious nature, the causative agent of which is the bacterium diphtheria bacillus.. With this disease, the mucous membrane of the nose, mouth, larynx and trachea is mainly affected.. In severe forms, pathological changes develop in other. organs and toxic poisoning of the whole organism. In the distant past, diphtheria was a deadly disease, but now it is effectively treated and prevented through immunization..

Diphtheria in children: the main symptoms.

Diphtheria is considered to be predominantly a childhood disease.. A characteristic feature is the formation of grayish-white films on the back of the throat.. This is quite dangerous because the films can stick together and completely block the airways, resulting in suffocation and death.. The main symptoms in both children and adults will be the appearance of sores in the throat, fever, nausea, headaches, swollen lymph nodes..

The duration of the incubation period is approximately 2-10 days. There are several types of disease development: Diphtheria in the oral cavity develops most often. Plaques form on the tonsils, and then dense films, the pharynx is red, inflamed and swollen on examination, severe pain may be felt when swallowing. Body temperature rises, sometimes to very high numbers.

After some time, the infection spreads, and the films can already be found on the tongue and arches of the soft palate, against the background of swollen and red mucous membranes, dirty-white plaque films are observed.. These films spread from the tonsils to the soft and hard palate.. It is rather difficult to remove plaque from the mucosa, they are very dense.. The body temperature of a child with diphtheria can reach 39-40 degrees. The patient will feel weakness and apathy, vomiting and abdominal pain are possible..

Sometimes there is swelling of the subcutaneous tissue of the neck. Diphtheria of the larynx is also called true croup.. In recent years, it has been much less common than pharyngeal diphtheria.. In this form, inflammation captures the mucous membrane of the trachea and larynx.. The disease progresses quickly.. Stage 1 lasts from 1 to 2 days and is characterized by hoarseness of voice, fever.

Cough can be strong, barking, but quickly loses its sonority. In stage 2, when examining a sick child, noisy breathing is heard, when inhaling, the tension of the respiratory muscles. At stage 3, oxygen deficiency already occurs, the skin turns blue, the patient becomes restless, shortness of breath appears, severe sweating. If at this stage medical assistance is not provided in time, the child may die as a result of suffocation.. Complications of diphtheria can be toxic shock, myocarditis - a severe pathology of the heart muscle, neuritis of peripheral nerve fibers. Some of these complications can lead to disability and severe chronic illness..

Diphtheria: symptoms in adults.

In past years, diphtheria was diagnosed mainly in children, and the incidence rate was quite high.. In adults, this pathology is very rare.. For many years diphtheria has been prevented through routine vaccination in childhood, and the incidence has been reduced.. For many years, only isolated cases of diphtheria were identified.. But recently, doctors have noted frequent outbreaks of the disease in adults.. The average age of patients with diphtheria is 18-40 years, but there were cases of infection at an older age - 50-60 years. The symptoms of the disease in adults are almost the same as in children, but there are still some features.. In adults, the disease begins with an increase in body temperature to 38-38.5 degrees.

The mucous membrane of the pharynx becomes red, smooth whitish plaques form on it, which eventually transform into dense films of a grayish-white hue. If you remove such a film, a bleeding ulcer forms under it.. In severe cases, the films cover the surface of the tonsils and the mucous membrane of the pharynx completely.. The tissues of the oropharynx look edematous and acquire a bright red color.. Tonsils may be so swollen that they close together.

Despite all the signs of severe inflammation, a person usually does not feel pain.. With such a disease with intoxication, there are always signs of general malaise.. This is especially pronounced in the toxic form of diphtheria.. The patient complains of severe weakness and loss of strength, he becomes irritable and lethargic.. The skin is usually very pale. Headaches, vomiting and nausea are observed, blood pressure may drop significantly, the pulse becomes uneven.

Lymph nodes located on the neck increase significantly in size and are easily palpable through the skin, the neck may look puffy. Diphtheria of the larynx in adults is more common than others.. forms. The voice becomes hoarse, there is a very loud and strong barking cough. Body temperature is not always high, in most cases it is subfebrile, up to 37.5 degrees. Breathing is difficult, heavy and squeezed, wheezing is heard. Laryngitis can join the disease.

When breathing, the tension of the respiratory muscles is noticeable, the wings of the nose swell. Sometimes adults may not have membranous formations in diphtheria. Almost always, the disease in adulthood is much more severe than in childhood.. Complicating the situation is the fact that it is very difficult for an adult to identify the disease at an early stage.. Symptoms are most often mild and uncharacteristic of diphtheria, the disease proceeds in an erased blurred form..

Diphtheria: features of treatment.

With diphtheria, the patient is necessarily sent for treatment to a hospital. The main stage of therapy is the introduction of antidiphtheria serum. This must be done as soon as possible. If the disease proceeds in a mild form, 1 injection of the drug is enough; in severe cases, the drug is administered for several days in a row.. The patient needs rest and fresh air.. To improve sleep and relieve irritability, light sedatives are prescribed.. To get rid of the inflammatory process in the larynx, glucocorticoids are prescribed..

And for the prevention of complications, the use of antibacterial drugs is indicated.. Antibacterial therapy is especially successful in the early stages of the disease.. People who have had diphtheria for a long time acquire strong immunity against the causative agent of the disease.. Diphtheria vaccine provides immune protection against diphtheria bacillus after administration.

Drugs most commonly prescribed for diphtheria: Anti-inflammatory drugs: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone. Antibacterials: Rifampicin, Gentamicin, Tetracycline, Ceftriaxone. Reducing temperature and pain: Aspirin, Paracetamol, Baralgin, Analgin. Means to improve bronchial patency: Theophylline, Bronholitin. Vitamin preparations.

In combination with traditional medicine, you can use folk methods for the treatment of diphtheria. It is recommended to lubricate raids and inflamed tonsils many times a day with freshly squeezed juice from cranberries.. Gargling and drinking warm juices can also help relieve symptoms of diphtheria.. 1 st. lingonberry, cranberry or lemon juice warm up and drink slowly in small sips. Slightly warmed juices are also suitable for rinsing..

Every 30 minutes you need to heat up 1 tbsp.. any of the above juices or a mixture of them and rinse your throat and mouth well. Do not throw away the cake after squeezing the juice, you can make an infusion for compresses from it. Pour 30-50 ml of alcohol or vodka into the cake, mix well and put on the throat. You can simply rub the skin with tincture, apply a layer of gauze, and then cotton wool and films. Wrap a scarf on top and keep for a while. And you can also moisten gauze or a clean cloth in the infusion and put on the throat.

Places with films and raids are recommended to be lubricated with infusion from the root of pink radiola 2-3 times a day..

This tincture can be purchased at the pharmacy. An infusion of eucalyptus leaves is also good for diphtheria.. It should be used in the same way as an alcohol extract from Rhodiola.. Diphtheria is a dangerous disease for both children and adults, it needs inpatient treatment.. If you notice the first symptoms in yourself or your loved ones, contact your doctor immediately. Late diagnosis and treatment can lead to dangerous complications and even death..

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