How To Spot Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection that adversely affects the mucous membranes found in the throat and nose. In most cases, this condition leads to problems like swollen glands and a sore throat. While minor cases of diphtheria shouldn't create many health issues, more severe and advanced cases of this condition can cause damage to the kidneys, heart, and overall nervous system. Nearly three percent of all individuals who suffer from diphtheria will die from the infection. There are several ways in which this infection can spread, including through airborne droplets and contaminated household and personal items. Keep in mind diphtheria is highly contagious, which is why it's important to avoid coming into contact with affected indivduals. It's possible for diphtheria to be prevented by receiving the DTaP vaccine as a child or the Tdap vaccine as an adolescent or adult.

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Fever And Chills

The signs and symptoms that occur with diphtheria will typically begin to display themselves within two to five days after infection. Among the most common symptoms that will begin at the onset of this infection include fever and chills. A fever is an increase in the temperature of the body caused by the onset of an illness or infection. A fever can lead to its own complications if it gets too high or sticks around for too long. Fevers should dissipate over the course of a couple of days when they are due to bacterial infections. These fevers are only dangerous in adults when they climb past 103 degrees Fahrenheit. When an individual has developed diphtheria, the fever they experience will likely occur right at the beginning of the condition. As for chills, these typically accompany fevers and are known for occurring at the beginning of an infection. Chills might also take place before the fever as a kind of warning sign a fever is imminent.

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Enlarged Lymph Nodes

The lymph nodes in the neck, designed to fight infection, can become enlarged and swollen when infection sets in. If individuals notice the lymph nodes on the side of their neck have become swollen, it's almost certain they're suffering from some sort of infection. If this symptom is accompanied by any of the others on this list, it's very likely it could be diphtheria. When lymph nodes are functioning properly, they trap harmful bacteria and viruses so individuals don't get sick. While enlarged lymph nodes can occur in the groin, armpits, or chin areas, the most common location for this problem is within the neck. If lymph nodes have become swollen, patients will likely notice some pain and tenderness in the immediate vicinity. The swelling will likely be around the size of a kidney bean, which should be easy to notice. The swollen nodes should return to normal as the infection dissipates. If the infection isn't treated promptly, some of the complications that can occur with enlarged lymph nodes include the formation of an abscess as well as an infection in the bloodstream.

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Nasal Discharge

Nasal discharge occurs when mucus flows out of the nose. While this symptom doesn't always point towards the presence of diphtheria, it's commonly caused by an infection. The mucus can range all the way from a clear fluid to a thicker substance. Mucus is a substance that effectively traps germs and bacteria, which makes this discharge beneficial despite the fact it can be difficult to deal with. There are a variety of things individuals can do to treat this symptom while waiting for the bacterial infection to go away. For one, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and use saline nasal spray if possible. Nasal discharge should start to go away after a few days while patients are recovering from diphtheria.

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Sore Throat And Hoarse Voice

A couple of other common diphtheria symptoms include a sore throat and hoarse voice, both of which are caused by the throat becoming irritated. The pain with these symptoms usually gets worse whenever the patient swallows. More irritation in the throat equates to a rougher and more grating voice, which can make it difficult to speak and have conversations until diphtheria goes away. Some of the main symptoms that come with a sore throat as well as a hoarse voice include pain in the throat, difficulties swallowing, swollen glands in the neck, reddened tonsils, and white spots on the tonsils. A couple of remedies commonly used for these symptoms include cough drops and pain relievers.

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Difficulty Breathing

Patients dealing with diphtheria will likely have difficulty breathing until their condition passes. When suffering from this infection, a sheet of gray material will cover the back of the throat. This material is also thick, which is what causes an individual to have issues with breathing. Once this substance develops at the back of the throat, a portion of the patient's airway will be effectively blocked, which may cause them to struggle with their breathing. This membrane typically forms around twelve to twenty-four hours after the initial symptoms have taken root. If this material reaches all the way to the larynx, it's possible patients will experience a harsher cough that comes with a barking sound. There are times when this membrane travels down towards the lungs, which can exacerbate breathing issues.