Diptheria

Causative Agent:    Corynabacterium diphtheriae  (Klebs – loeffler bacilli)

Mode of Transmission:    Droplet, direct and indirect contact
Incubation: 2 – 6 days
Diptheria
Signs and Symptoms:
Nasal
    - excoriation of upper lip and nare with serosanguinous secretions
Pharyngeal or faucial
    - PSEUDOMEMBRANE
    - BULL NECK APPEARANCE
Laryngeal
    - laryngeal stridor
    - hoarseness of voice leading to aphonia
    - signs of respiratory distress
Cutaneous or extrapulmonary
    - spread of causative agent to skin (ears, eyes, wound)

Diptheria
Diagnostic Examination:
    Nose and throat culture
    Schick’s test – intradermal injection of toxin, will show (+) without immunity , 1-3 cm
    Moloney test – intradermal injection of toxoid, if positive there is erythema within 24
hrs (hypersensitivity to Diptheria toxoid)
Treatment:
    
    Penicillin G Sodium
    Supportive:    Oxygen inhalation
                Tracheostomy
                Suction secretions
Diptheria
Nursing Care:
    Strict Isolation
    Complete bed rest
    Concurrent disinfection
    Proper disposal of naso-pharyngeal secretions
    Complete bed rest
    Liquid to soft diet
    Small frequent feedings
    Increase fluid intake
Prevention:
    Avoid mode of transmission
    Immunization