Prevention Of Diphtheria And Tetanus

Overview

Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. The bacteria releases an exotoxin which damages the heart and nervous system. The clinical symptoms start with a sore throat followed by a diagnostic feature of wash-leather' elevated, greyish-green membrane on the tonsils with enlargement of lymph nodes. Treated with penicillin, adrenaline, and IV antitoxin is the mainstay of the treatment. Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani. It produces exotoxins, which is very harmful to the body. Initially they present with headache, malaise, and fever, which will eventually present with pain and stiffness of jaw, abdomen, and back. In a more severe stage, they will present with lockjaw, opisthotonus and autonomic dysfunction. The causative agent can be detected by doing a blood culture. Human tetanus immune globulin is the primary treatment followed by supportive and symptomatic treatments.