Two Australian children have been hospitalized with rare cases of diphtheria in the throat.
These are the first cases reported in NSW since the 1990s and one of the couple, a young child, is currently in intensive care.
So what is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that is easily transmitted between people through physical contact or respiratory drops.
It has been a dreaded childhood disease throughout history due to devastating outbreaks.
Infection was a common cause of death in children until the 1940s, when a vaccine was widely introduced.
The disease occurs primarily in countries with poor levels of immunization, says NSW Health.
A child suffering from diphtheria is treated in a Yemeni hospital. (ABC News: Moohialdin Fuad)
It is the toxins produced by the bacteria that cause the damage, says Professor Adrian Esterman, an epidemiologist at the University of South Australia.
“It’s not the bacteria that causes the problems, it’s a toxin or a poison that produces the bacteria that causes problems,” Professor Esterman told ABC News Breakfast.
There are two types of diphtheria, one of which affects the skin, causing skin lesions that become boils.
While this may seem unpleasant, Professor Esterman said it is much milder than throat diphtheria, which can be fatal.
“Then there’s the throat version, which can form a membrane,” he said.
“So it’s a piece of whitish green membrane that looks like a skin that can completely cover the windpipe.
“And prevent the child from breathing. So it can be very serious and lethal.”
The toxin produced by diphtheria bacteria can also cause inflammation of the heart muscle and nerves, which can be deadly in 5 to 10 percent of infected people, says NSW Health.
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
- The first symptoms are usually sore throat, loss of appetite and mild fever.
- In 2-3 days a membrane forms on the throat and tonsils which can make swallowing and breathing difficult.
- It can also cause the lymph glands and tissues on both sides of the neck to swell, known as an “ox neck”.
- It can also cause inflammation of the heart muscle which can be fatal.
- Sometimes diphtheria can cause small sores on the skin that form larger ulcers, usually on the legs.
What are the treatments?
The infection can be treated with diphtheria antitoxin. Antibiotics can also be given to kill the production of bacteria and toxins and prevent transmission.
If things get too bad, it can be treated with surgery.
“In the case of the throat version, you can actually remove the membrane surgically,” Professor Esterman said.
“And, of course, we also use antibiotics and antitoxins.”
Close contacts may receive post-exposure prophylaxis, which may include antibiotics and immunization, to reduce the risk of transmission.
Close contacts of the two NSW cases received antibiotics and antitoxins.
Health authorities say there is no ongoing risk to the community at large.
How important is vaccination? How is it prevented?
Vaccination has prevented the death of countless children.
“Look, in the early 20th century, I’m talking about the 1900s, diphtheria was one of the main killers of children,” says Professor Esterman.
“But in the 1920s, a vaccine against the toxin produced by the bacterium was developed, it was widely distributed in schools during the 1930s, and since then diphtheria has been caught in very low amounts.” .
Brisbane schoolchildren waiting to be vaccinated against diphtheria in 1943. (Queensland State Library)
In Australia, more than 90% of children are vaccinated against the disease. NSW Health says it is part of childhood immunization.
It is given in combination with other vaccines known as the DTP vaccine, which contains diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines, also known as pertussis.
Professor Esterman says the small percentage of children who are not vaccinated are at risk.
“But, of course, we have a very small percentage that is not [vaccinated]”He said.
“We also have people coming in as refugees from abroad who might have it because of the kind of terrible things that have happened in their countries where they come from.
“We have a few cases that have occurred in our Aboriginal communities.”
Professor Esterman’s message is simple.
“Please, please, please completely vaccinate your children against all childhood infections,” he said.
Posted 11 hours, 11 hours ago, Monday, July 4, 2022 at 1:49 AM, updated 10 hours ago, 10 hours ago, Monday, July 4, 2022 at 2:44 AM