Infectious diseases specialists diagnose and treat infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, focusing on fevers, antibiotics, and vaccines.
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Diphtheria Treatment is an emergency that focuses on two immediate priorities: neutralising the deadly bacterial toxin and eradicating the bacteria itself. Treatment must begin immediately upon clinical suspicion, as any delay in administering antitoxin can lead to fatal heart and nerve damage.
Effective Diphtheria Therapy requires intensive care and comprehensive support to manage the systemic effects of the toxin. The patient is immediately isolated to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. Specialised medical and critical care teams coordinate the rapid intervention.
The core of Diphtheria management is the use of two specific medical treatments: a neutralising agent and an antibiotic. Both are initiated simultaneously for maximum effectiveness.
The Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) is the most crucial part of the treatment. It is a specialised, life-saving medication that is given intravenously.
Timing: The antitoxin must be given as quickly as possible, ideally within 48 hours of symptoms starting, to maximise its effectiveness and reduce the risk of death.
Antibiotics are used alongside the antitoxin to kill the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria, preventing them from producing more toxin.
While Diphtheria is not treated with elective surgery, minimally invasive procedures are often required to manage the immediate, life-threatening symptom of airway obstruction caused by the membrane.
Laryngoscopy: Used by specialists to visualise the voice box and upper airway, assessing the degree of swelling and obstruction before inserting a breathing tube.
Severe respiratory Diphtheria can lead to complete airway blockage, requiring urgent surgical intervention to secure the patient’s ability to breathe.
Tracheostomy: In rare, extreme cases where swelling is too severe for intubation, a small opening (tracheostomy) is surgically created directly in the neck/windpipe to allow air to flow to the lungs.
Recovery from Diphtheria is lengthy, especially if the toxin has damaged the heart or nerves. Rehabilitation and recovery programs focus on reversing the severe systemic effects.
Nutritional Support: Feeding tubes may be temporarily required if nerve paralysis prevents the patient from safely swallowing food.
How long does Diphtheria treatment take? Active treatment with antibiotics usually lasts 14 days. The recovery time is much longer, depending on the toxin damage.
Cardiac Recovery: If myocarditis occurs, cardiac monitoring and recovery can last for 6 weeks to several months. Full recovery from nerve damage is variable.
LIV Hospital provides specialised, rapid-response Diphtheria Treatment, integrating critical care and infectious disease expertise to manage this life-threatening illness. Our coordination ensures the fastest possible intervention.
Specialised Contact Management: Our public health team swiftly conducts specialised Contact Management procedures to identify exposed individuals and provide preventive antibiotics and booster shots.
Contact Management is an essential public health Diphtheria Therapy procedure that starts the moment a diagnosis is suspected. This prevents an outbreak.
Intervention: Contacts receive immediate antibiotic prophylaxis (preventive antibiotics) and a Diphtheria booster shot to prevent the infection from spreading further.
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The two main options are immediate administration of Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) to neutralise the toxin, and antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
Antibiotics are given for 14 days. The patient remains in isolation until cultures are negative. Recovery from heart or nerve damage can take several weeks or months.
Yes, if the toxin damages the nerves or heart, you will need continuous cardiac monitoring and specialised speech or physical Therapy to regain full function.
The main medication is Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT). Antibiotics (Penicillin or Erythromycin) are used to eliminate the bacteria.
Expect immediate hospitalisation and isolation, continuous cardiac monitoring, and the potential need for a breathing tube if the airway becomes obstructed.
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