About this topic
Diphtheria is an infection that may cause a lung or skin infection. Some people may not be sick from it but may carry the germ causing the infection. It infects the mouth, throat, and nose. People can get the infection when breathing in after a person with the infection sneezes, coughs, or speaks. You can also get the infection by touching things that an infected person has handled. ‚
Treatment prevents the infection from spreading in the body. The doctor may order bedrest in the hospital. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you a drug to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Get lots of bedrest. Give your body enough time to recover.
- Protect other people from getting the infection. Wear a mask to prevent giving it to other people. Wash your hands often. Do not share personal items. You can spread the infection for up to 2 weeks after you get it.
- Gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water 2 to 3 times a day.
- Put a cool mist humidifier in your room to keep your throat moist.
- Drink lots of water, juice, or broths to replace lost fluids.
- Suck on ice chips or lozenges to relieve throat pain.
- Skin infections may need special care.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may order a throat swab and culture after your treatment. This is to make sure the infection is gone.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Prevent the infection from getting worse
Will physical activity be limited?
You will need to rest for a few days to a few weeks to let your body recover from the infection. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat soft foods like soup if it hurts to swallow.
- Do not drink sports drinks, soft drinks, undiluted fruit juice, or beverages that have too much sugar. This may cause fluid loss and throat itchiness.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and acidic juices like orange juice or lemonade. These can make your signs worse.
What problems could happen?
- Heart infection causing a weakened heart
- Breathing problems
- Numbness of the tongue, face, or gums
- Numbness and tingling of the hands or feet
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Get vaccinated against diphtheria. Vaccination for diphtheria (DPT) starts at 2 months of age. Shots are repeated at 4 months, 6 months, 12 to 18 months, and at 4 to 6 years old. You can get vaccinated at any time if you were not vaccinated as a child.
- Get the booster shots that are needed after ages 4 to 6 years old.
- People living with you may benefit from a booster shot or other drugs that may protect them from getting the infection.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Separate eating utensils and glasses from the rest of the familys utensils. This will help prevent the spread of infection.
- If you have been near a person who has the infection, call your doctor right away.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fast heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or face
- Not able to eat
- Dizziness or passing out
- Feeling very tired or weak
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my sore throat.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing, am not able to eat, or feel dizzy.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/diphtheria/fs-parents.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/diphtheria.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diphtheria/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚