Diphtheria is one of the most contagious bacterial infections today, and whose occurrences sometimes end in fatalities. It mainly affects the throat and the nose, though the skin may also be affected on some occasions. It is not very common in Canada, though if you are planning to travel to destinations in Africa, former USSR, and South Asia, the diphtheria vaccine is highly recommended.
What causes diphtheria?
As stated earlier, the infection is caused by a bacteria which is usually spread through sneezes and coughs. It can also be spread by sharing items such as bedding and clothing, with someone who is already infected.
Symptoms of Diphtheria
Symptoms of this infection can be very uncomfortable and can result in death. One of the common symptoms is a thick-greyish white coating that appears at the back of the throat. Due to this, sore throat and breathing difficulty may also ensue in such patients. Notable temperature rises is also a common symptom, and a victim’s body temperature can be elevated to as high as 380C.
How is diphtheria treated?
Quick treatment is vital to prevent serious complications. Typical treatment for this infection features antitoxin medications and antibiotics, and anyone suspected of being infected is usually put in isolation, and is quarantined at the hospital. If heart or nervous complications are developed by the patient, then more specialized treatment may be needed.
How to prevent diphtheria infection
The best approach to avoid and prevent a diphtheria infection, is to get the diphtheria vaccine. For most people, especially in Canada, this is one of the vaccines that are normally administered at childhood. However, it is always a good idea to reinforce the protection against infection once every ten years, or when you are travelling abroad to high-risk destinations. The vaccination is available in most travel clinics in Montreal, and you should be able to access it relatively easily.