Diphtheria - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Diphtheria in Urdu

یہ ایک مہلک بیماری ہے جو کہ ناک اور گلے کی جھلیوں کو نشانہ بناتی ہے۔ اس کی علامات میں کمزوری، بخار اور گلے کی خرابی شامل ہیں۔ اس کی سب سے اہم علامت سانس لینے مین دشواری ہے۔ ترقی یافتہ ممالک میں یہ بیماری نہ ہونے کے برابر ہے۔ ویکسین کی مدد سے اس بیماری سے تحفظ ممکن ہے۔

Doctors For Diphtheria

Profile Photo of Ent Surgeon in Lahore - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bakht Aziz

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bakht Aziz

Ent Surgeon, Ent Specialist

BSc, MBBS, FCPS, CMT (UK)

Experience

15 Yrs

Satisfaction

96%

Video Consultation

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Rs. 1,500

Defence Medical Group Hospital, DHA Defence, Lahore

Available Today

Rs. 2,500

National Hospital & Medical Center, DHA Defence, Lahore

Available Today

Rs. 2,500

National Hospital & Medical Centre, DHA Defence, Lahore

Available today

Rs. 2,500

Profile Photo of Ent Specialist in Lahore - Dr. Faiza Bajwa

Dr. Faiza Bajwa

Ent Specialist

MBBS, FCPS (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology)*

Experience

6 Yrs

Satisfaction

99%

Video Consultation

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Rs. 500

Profile Photo of Ent Surgeon in Lahore - Prof. Dr. Muhammad Riaz Chaudhry

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Riaz Chaudhry

Ent Surgeon, Ent Specialist

MBBS, FCPS, MD (USA)

Experience

35 Yrs

Satisfaction

97%

Video Consultation

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Rs. 2,000

Latif Hospital, Johar Town, Lahore

Available Today

Rs. 2,500

Profile Photo of Ent Specialist in Islamabad - Prof. Dr. R Brigadier Amer Sabih Hydri

Prof. Dr. R Brigadier Amer Sabih Hydri

Ent Specialist, Ent Surgeon, Ent Specialist

MBBS , PGDLO , MCPS , FCPS

Experience

32 Yrs

Satisfaction

97%

Video Consultation

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Rs. 1,500

PAF Hospital, E-9/1, Islamabad

Available Today

Rs. 2,000

Nelson Medical Complex, Abid Majeed Road, Rawalpindi

Available Today

Rs. 1,500

Profile Photo of Ent Surgeon in Quetta - Prof. Dr. Zainullah Kakar

Prof. Dr. Zainullah Kakar

Ent Surgeon

MBBS, MCPS (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology), FCPS (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology), Diploma in Otolaryngology

Experience

42 Yrs

Satisfaction

99%

City International Hospital, Zarghon Road, Quetta

Available Today

Rs. 1,000

Profile Photo of Ent Specialist in Karachi - Dr. Badarul Kalam

Dr. Badarul Kalam

Ent Specialist

MBBS, DLO (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology)

Experience

39 Yrs

Satisfaction

98%

Khizar Specialist Clinic & Hospital, Shah Faisal Town, Karachi

Available Today

Rs. 1,000

CBM Health Center, Malir, Karachi

Available from Mar 25

Rs. 1,200

Summary about Diphtheria in English

Book an appointment with the best doctor for diphtheria treatment in Pakistan. You can also consult the doctor online through Marham. Talk to the most experienced specialists for diphtheria based on their qualifications, patient reviews, location, and fees.

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious infection of the nose and throat caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. It affects the mucous membrane and is a contagious infection resulting in breathing difficulties, skin soreness, and swallowing issues. Prolonged untreated infection can affect the brain and kidneys resulting in death. Diphtheria can be prevented through vaccination.

What are the symptoms indicating Diphtheria?

The symptoms of diphtheria are similar to the common cold and flu such as;

  • Sore throat and fever

  • Swollen neck glands and swallowing difficulties

  • Skin discoloration 

How to diagnose Diphtheria?

The lab tests for the diagnosis of Diphtheria include;

  • Blood test

  • Swab test from the nose of the throat

What are the causes of Diphtheria?

Diphtheria disease is caused by a bacteria that affects the mucous membrane and develops an infection. It can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.

How to treat Diphtheria?

Diphtheria can be treated by injecting antitoxins to prevent the spread of bacterial toxins. Antibiotics are also prescribed to treat the disease. Diphtheria can be prevented through the Diphtheria vaccine. 

Consult the best doctor for diphtheria disease treatment in Pakistan now to avoid any complications. You can also book a video consultation through Marham to discuss your symptoms with the most experienced diphtheria doctor in Pakistan.

Symptoms of Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually attacks the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Nervous system and kidneys can be damaged by the diphtheria. Diphtheria usually begins two to five days after infection and may include:


  • A thick, gray covering spreading over throat and tonsils

  • Sore throat and hoarseness

  • Swollen lymph nodes (enlarged lymph nodes) in the throat

  • Shortness of breath or fast breathing

  • Rapid breath

  • Fever and chills

  • Trouble breathing

In some people, infection with a diphtheria-causing bacterium causes only a mild illness or no visible symptoms. Infected individuals who are unaware of their disease are referred to as carriers of diphtheria because they can spread the infection without its symptoms.

The other type of diphtheria may affect the skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling, wounds and skin infections. Gray film-covered wounds can also develop in case of diphtheria of the skin.

Causes of Diphtheria

The bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria. Normally, C. diphtheriae proliferates on or near the surface of the pharyngeal mucosa. C. diphtheriae is distributed in three ways:

Air Droplets:

Sneezing or coughing in an infected person releases the mist of contaminated droplets that nearby people may inhale. C. diphtheriae. Diphtheria spreads in this way, especially in overpopulated areas.

Contaminated Personal Items:

People sometimes get affected by diphtheria by getting in touch with tissues used by an infected person, drinking from the unwashed glass of an infected person, or by other similar means of coming into contact with other objects that contain bacteria. You can deposit.

Contaminated Household Items:

In rare cases, diphtheria spreads to common household items such as towels or toys. You may also come in contact with a bacterium that causes diphtheria by touching the infected wound. People who have been infected with diphtheria and have not been infected by infected persons for six weeks, even if they have no symptoms.

Risk Factors of Diphtheria

People at an elevated diphtheria risk are:

  • Children and adults not yet vaccinated
  • People who live in a crowded or unhygienic condition

  • Anyone who goes to an area where diphtheria is endemic

Diphtheria is rare in the United States and Western Europe, where health officials have had children vaccinated against this disease for many years. However, diphtheria is still prevalent in developing countries where vaccination rates are low. In areas where vaccination against diphtheria is common, the disease mainly affects unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people traveling abroad or in touch with people in a developing country.

Preventive Measures of Diphtheria

Before antibiotics became available, diphtheria was a common disease in young children. Today, this disease is not only curable but can be prevented with a vaccine. Diphtheria vaccine is associated with tetanus and pertussis vaccines. The three-in-one vaccine is known as a vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine is one of the vaccines recommended by doctors in the United States. The vaccine consists of a series of five injections normally given to children of this age in the arms or legs:

  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 15 to 18 months
  • From 4 to 6 years old

Diphtheria vaccine effectively prevents diphtheria. However, side effects may occur. Some children may experience mild fever, drowsiness, or tenderness at the site of injection following injection. Ask your doctor how you can help your child minimize or mitigate these effects.

Types of Diphtheria

There are two types of diphtheria. These are:

  1. Respiratory diphtheria
  2. Cutaneous diphtheria

Respiratory diphtheria affects the throat, nose, and tonsils. Whereas cutaneous diphtheria affects the skin and presents in the form of skin ulcers and swelling.