BANDUNG, WWW.PASJABAR.COM — Symptoms of diphtheria in each person can be different. There are people who do not experience any symptoms when infected with diphtheria, there are also those who only show mild flu-like symptoms.
Reported from ALLODOCTER on Sunday (5/3/2023), the most characteristic symptom of diphtheria is the appearance of a thick, gray coating on the throat and tonsils called a pseudomembrane. Along with these symptoms, there are several other symptoms that can occur, namely:
- Sore throat
- Coughing and hoarseness
- Mild fever or chills
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Difficult to swallow
- Drooling dripping constantly
- Headache
Apart from the nose and throat, there are also types of diphtheria that occur on the skin. Its characteristics are reddish skin, raised spots filled with pus, and boils on the skin. If diphtheria has healed, the spots and boils on the skin will also disappear within 2-3 months.
It is known, diphtheria generally affects children under 5 years of age and elderly people over 60 years.
In addition, diphtheria can also occur in adults who have never received diphtheria immunization and people with poor nutritional conditions or living in areas with unhealthy environments.
Although some people experience diphtheria with mild symptoms, this disease cannot be underestimated. If not treated thoroughly, diphtheria can cause various complications, such as:
1. Respiratory problems
As mentioned above, diphtheria can cause a pseudomembrane layer to form. This thick layer is made up of hardened dead cells, bacteria, and inflammatory substances. If not treated immediately, the pseudomembrane can spread to the airways and interfere with air entry.
2. Nervous disorders
Toxins from the germs that cause diphtheria can also cause nervous disorders, especially the throat nerves. This can make it difficult for you to swallow or speak.
Apart from the throat nerves, nerves in other organs can also be damaged by this poison, for example the nerves that help control the respiratory muscles. If these nerves are damaged by toxins from the diphtheria bacteria, the respiratory muscles can become paralyzed. As a result, breathing cannot take place without the aid of a tool.
3. Heart damage
Toxins from the bacteria that cause diphtheria can also enter the bloodstream, then spread throughout the body and damage tissues. One of them is the heart muscle. If the poison reaches the heart muscle, myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle will occur. This condition can lead to heart failure and even sudden death.
Diphtheria is generally treated with antibiotic drugs and antitoxin injections to neutralize the toxins from the diphtheria germs in the body. However, diphtheria is still at risk of relapse even though it has been treated, especially if it occurs in children under 15 years of age. So, prevention is certainly better than treatment.
In order to prevent diphtheria and its complications, carry out DPT immunization (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) for infants and toddlers which can be obtained through government programs. Diphtheria immunization for adults can also be done if you have never received the vaccine before. (*/ran)
