Diphtheria

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Antibodies

If the health care provider thinks you have diphtheria, treatment should be started immediately, even before test results are available.

Diphtheria anti-toxin is given as a shot into a muscle or through an IV (intravenous line). The infection is then treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin.

People with diphtheria may need to stay in the hospital while the anti-toxin is being received. Other treatment may include:

• Fluids by IV
• Oxygen
• Bed rest
• Heart monitoring
• Insertion of a breathing tube
• Correction of airway blockages

Anyone who has come into contact with the infected person should be immunization or booster shots against diphtheria. Protective immunity lasts only 10 years from the time of vaccination, so it is important for adults to get a booster of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine every 10 years.

Those without symptoms but who carry diphtheria should be treated with antibiotics.

The death rate is 10%. Recovery from the illness is slow.

The diphtheria toxin can damage the heart, nervous system, kidneys, or other organs. This may lead to:

• Myocarditis, which can lead to heart failure
• Nerve problems such as peripheral neuritis, which can cause uncoordinated movements and paralysis
• Kidney damage
• Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis)

Contact your health care provider if you have come in contact with diphtheria.

Remember that diphtheria is a rare disease. Diphtheria is also a reportable disease, and any cases are often publicized in the newspaper or on television. This helps you to know if diphtheria is present in your area.

Review Date: 09/25/2006
Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.