Overview of Vaccines

Question 1

What is the Diptheria disease?

Answer 1

Infectious respiratory disease caused by toxigenic strains of bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Corynebacterium ulcerans

Transmitted via airborne droplets

Bacteria infect the throat and sometimes the skin
Incubation period from 2-7 days before disease occurs

Patients with untreated disease may be infectious for up to four weeks

Affects people of all ages - most serious in young infants and the elderly

Question 2

What are the features of a diptheria infection?

Answer 2

Early signs: mild fever, swollen neck glands, anorexia, malaise, cough

2-3 days: membrane of dead cells forms in throat, tonsils, larynx or nose

May narrow or occlude the airway leading to respiratory distress