How to Prevent Diphtheria

Diphtheria, an infection caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, usually affects the nose and throat. It is transmitted by inhaling respiratory secretions from an infected patient. Diphtheria's virulence comes from the potent exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The following steps will show how to prevent diphtheria.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Administer the diphtheria toxoid. Up to 50 percent of the population in some parts of the United States is not immune to the diphtheria toxin and rates are particularly high in the elderly. This is the only effective control measure against diphtheria.

2. Provide a concentration of .01 IU/mL antitoxin as the minimum protective level and .1 IU/mL as definitely protective.

3. Continue to receive the diphtheria toxoid throughout life. This is necessary to provide constant antitoxin levels and reduce the population of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. A booster shot may be needed if you get a wound that is hard to clean and it has been more than five years since your last dose.

4. Include diphtheria immunization with tetanus vaccines in patients over 7 years old. A second dose is given 4 to 8 weeks later followed by a third dose in 6 months to a year. Booster shots should be given every 10 years thereafter. Patients from 6 weeks to 7 years receive the diphtheria toxoid by itself.

5. Review and update your diphtheria immunization status before traveling to a country where diphtheria is endemic or epidemic.

Resources

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