Dangers Of Diphtheria In Children, Don't Ignore The Signs!

JAKARTA - Diphtheria is one of the infectious diseases that needs to be watched out for because it can attack respiratory tracts to human skin. If not treated quickly, this disease can cause serious complications that threaten life.

Reporting from the page of the Aceh Provincial Health Office, the diphtheria is a very contagious disease. The transmission can be through splashes of the sufferer's saliva when coughing or sneezing, to contact with contaminated items.

Diphtheria is an infectious disease that attacks mucus membranes in the nose and throat, and can affect the skin. Although it can attack all ages, children are the group most susceptible to this disease.

Symptoms Of Diphtheria

Symptoms of the diphtheria usually appear 2.5 days after a person is infected with the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. However, not all sufferers show symptoms. Some only experience mild symptoms similar to the common cold.

The typical symptoms of the diphtheria are the formation of thick gray layers in the throat and amendel. In addition, sufferers can also experience coughs, hoarse sounds, and sore throats.

The Aceh Health Service (Dinkes) added that other symptoms that could arise include:

- Fever above 38 degC.

- Pain or pain when swallowing.

- Neck swelling due to gland swelling.

- Shortness of breath accompanied by a sound.

Diphteri Danger

Diphtheria are not just common infectious diseases, but have the potential to be deadly. Cases of death due to diphtheria usually occur due to respiratory blockages, damage to the heart muscle, to nerve and kidney disorders.

Diphteri bacteria produce toxins that can clog respiratory tracts, damage tissue, and even spread through blood flow. As a result, vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and the brain can be affected.

The Ministry of Health also noted that the complications of the diphtheria that could arise include:

- Heart muscle midfielder (miocarditis).

- Pneumonia or lung infection.

- Kidney failure.

- Nervous damage.

- Paralysis.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Diphtheria

The differi is caused by infection with the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. After infecting, this bacteria produces a poison that causes a gray layer in the throat, nose, or airways. These toxins can even spread to other organs and cause severe complications.

Children under 5 years old and adults over 60 years of age have a higher risk. People who have never been immunized are also much more vulnerable. "The immunization status is related to the severity of the disease," said the Aceh Health Office.

In addition, the diphtheria is easier to attack in people who:

- Live in densely populated areas.

- Live or travel to the plague area.

- Has a weak immune system, for example, AIDS sufferers.

Diphteri Prevention

The most effective way to prevent diphtheria is by vaccination. In Indonesia, differial vaccines are given in the form of DPT immunization (difftheria, pertusis, tetanus) which is already included in the national program of complete basic immunization.

The Ministry of Health explained that DPT immunization is given when children are 2, 3, 4, and 18 months old, as well as an advanced dose at the age of 5 years. Furthermore, differial vaccination in the form of Td (tetanus-diftheria) is given when children enter elementary school age.

In addition to vaccination, prevention efforts can also be done by maintaining personal hygiene, implementing clean and healthy living behavior, wearing masks, and avoiding crowds.

If the child shows symptoms of the diphtheria, immediately take him to the nearest health facility in order to get quick treatment.

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