What are the most common symptoms of diphtheria?
Difteria is a condition caused by bacterial infection and can be deadly or cause permanent damage to some body organs. It is often a respiratory condition, with the symptoms of diphtheria that include a significant cough, difficulty breathing and a hoarse raw feeling that evolves in the throat. Symptoms generally begin between two and five days after infection, during which the individual can spread bacteria to others.
One of the first symptoms of diphtheria to manifest is often the development of black fibers in the mouth and neck. This can quickly lead to difficulty breathing, painful cough and raw felt in the throat. The sore throat can not only lead to a hoarse voice, but repeated cough can help spread bacteria. Bacteria that cause infection are called corynebacterium diphtheriae . Mild fever also usually goes with early symptoms.
Some individuals also develop visible symptoms of diphtheria, such as skin lesions or blue shade on the skin. Inside the nose and on other mucosal membranes, for exampleIn the throat, a sticky gray membrane can form. This can even make breathing and swallowing even more difficult, and it can lead to problems with speaking and a change in voice.
When the infection spreads, the symptoms of diphtheria gradually deteriorate. The glands in the throat begin to swell and the individual often begins to make an involuntary sound of whistling when inhaled. This usually indicates that the individual's respiratory tract is gradually narrower and prevents more. Lymph nodes begin to swell and prevent the neck. There may be water discharge from the nose or accumulation of saliva because it is pushed out of the mouth and nose instead of being absorbed into the body.
In some cases where bacteria spread in ana skin, a particularly overcrowded, unhygienic area, open ulcers or blisters may occur. Bacteria can be spread by contact with these wounds, which can continue to deteriorate without treatment. To treat this type of diphtheria are generally necessary localand oral drugs and antibiotics.
If it is not treated, bacteria can start to spread through the rest of the body. Among the symptoms of diphtheria that indicate that this process has begun is pale or bluish skin, chills and a rapid heart rhythm. Bacteria can often infect the kidneys and lead to permanent damage.