05/04/2023
Course: PEDIATRICS
TOPIC: DIPHTHERIA
Definition
•Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease of the tonsils, pharynx, larynx or nose and occasionally other mucus membranes and skin caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae characterized by pseudo grayish white membrane.
•Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death.
Incubation Period
• 2-7 days
Cause
•Mycobacterium diphtheriae
Types
•Anterior nasal diphtheria
•Faucial diphtheria (pharyngeal)
•Tracheolaryngeal diphtheria
•Malignant diphtheria
•Cutaneous diphtheria
Pathophysiology
The microorganism enters the upper respiratory tract and produces exotoxins which are then absorbed causing tissue necrosis and inflammatory response. The toxin is transported to other parts of the body through blood and the lymphatics. In the heart it causes myocarditis, kidneys acute tubular necrosis and nervous tissue causes damage.
Signs and symptoms
Depends on the site and extent of the damage caused by the toxins.
Pharyngeal Diphtheria
•Tonsillar and pharyngeal inflammation
•Moderate fever
•Horsenesd of voice
•Unproductive cough
•Painful dysphagia
•Anorexia
•Malaise
•Sore throat
Laryngeal Diphtheria
•Dyspnea
•Cyanosis
•Respiratory obstruction
•Irritability
•Toxemia is less laryngeal disease
•There is use of accessory muscles of respiration
Nasal Diphtheria
•Purulent bloodstained nasal discharge
•The discharge crusts around the external nares
•Moderate fever
Malignant Diphtheria
•Onset is more acute
•Fever
•Tachycardia
•Low BP
•Cervical adenitis produces the classic bull neck
•Patient may bleed through the node, mouth and skin
Complications
•Laryngeal obstruction or paralysis
•Myocarditis
•Peripheral neuropathy
•Rarely encephalitis
•Kidney disease
Prevention
•Active immunization
•All contacts to have throat swabs taken
•Prophylaxis with erythromycin
Medical Management
AIMS
•To isolate the causative organism
•To relieve signs and symptoms
•To prevent complications
History Taking
•I will do history taking which will reveal painful dysphagia
Physical Examination
•I will do physical examination which will reveal difficulties in breathing on inspection
Laboratory Tests
•Throat swab to isolate causative organism
Treatment
•Total bedrest is advised.
Anti-toxin therapy
20000'-80000iu
Antibiotics
•X-pen 1/4-1mu qid 5/7
Other drugs
Analgesics
•Paracetamol 100-500mg tds 3/7
•oxygen therapy Incase of dyspnea 2-5l/min
5% or 10% dextrose for energy.
Nursing Care
AIMS
•To prevent spread of infection
•To alley anxiety
•To promotion nutrition
EPROPHENEMA