Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by corynebacterium (diphtheria bacillus). This bacterium is capable of producing a powerful and extremely dangerous toxin for human health and life.
Diphtheria is transmitted by airborne droplets, i.e. through coughing and sneezing. It is also possible to become infected through objects used by a sick person: toys, bedding, dishes (the so-called contact route of transmission). The insidiousness of diphtheria also lies in the fact that it can be transmitted not only from a sick person, but also from a carrier of the pathogen . In the latter case, the carrier has no symptoms, but it is possible to become infected.
How long after infection will the first symptoms appear?
The incubation period is from 1 to 10 days, most often from 2 to 5 days.
Diphtheria is insidious in that its onset can be very similar to a common respiratory infection ("cold"), so adults may not attach much importance to the first manifestations of the disease .
The most common symptoms are:
A specific symptom is the appearance of gray films. The toxin secreted by the bacterium destroys healthy tissues. Within a few days, the dead tissue forms a thick gray coating, most often in the throat. But films can also cover other parts of the body: nose, eye, vagina and skin. Areas invisible to the eye can also be lined: trachea, heart (which leads to such a complication of the disease as diphtheria myocarditis)
Diphtheria can be fatal. Even with treatment, about 1 in 10 diphtheria patients die . Without treatment, the chances are usually 50/50.
The only method of prevention is vaccination.
And not only children need to be vaccinated, but also adults! Vaccination of children and adults against diphtheria and tetanus is included in the National calendar of preventive vaccinations and is provided by the state free of charge for the patient.
A complex vaccine is used to prevent diphtheria. That is, it will protect not only from diphtheria, but also from whooping cough and tetanus (AaKDP, AKDP), or diphtheria and tetanus (ADP, ADP-M)
According to the national Calendar of preventive vaccinations, vaccines with both acellular (AaKDP) and whole-cell (AKDP) pertussis component can be used to vaccinate children against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus in the first year of life. These vaccines are used to vaccinate children up to 6 years 11 months 29 days.
AKDP vaccination (AaKDP) vaccine is carried out at: 2 months (first vaccination), 4 months (second vaccination), 6 months (third vaccination). At 18 months, revaccination is carried out.
Revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus at the age of 6 is carried out with diphtheria-tetanus toxoid (hereinafter - ADP), the next at 16 years - with diphtheria-tetanus toxoid with reduced antigen content (hereinafter - ADP-M).
The first planned revaccination of adults according to age and epi-indications, who were previously vaccinated, is carried out by ADP-M at the age of 26 years, followed by a planned revaccination of ADP-M with a minimum interval of 10 years from the previous vaccination of ADP-M. Important: revaccination of adults against diphtheria and tetanus must be carried out every 10 years, regardless of age. Unfortunately, there is a myth that elderly people do not need revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus, and this prejudice can lead to tragic consequences. Thus, in 2023, the death of a 73-year-old woman from diphtheria was registered in the Kyiv region . The patient was admitted to the hospital, but her life could not be saved due to long-term self-medication and complications arising from the disease. It was also found out that the deceased was not vaccinated against diphtheria. According to the data of the Center of Public Health, only 47.8% of the planned number of adults received revaccination against diphtheria from the 11th month of 2023, which is insufficient. In 2022, according to data provided by the Public Health Center at the request of the editors, 2 cases of diphtheria were recorded in Ukraine: in Ternopil and Lviv regions. In total, four cases of diphtheria were registered in 2022 - 5 months of 2024, while in 2020-2021 none were recorded.
From August 1, 2024, additional immunization measures against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus are in effect in Ukraine. An additional round of immunization will continue until the end of the year. In particular, doctors will remind children who missed scheduled vaccinations according to the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations and adults who did not receive revaccination about the importance of vaccinations and invite them to get vaccinated.