People suspected of having diphtheria will be given an antitoxin injection into a muscle or vein. The antitoxin works by counteracting the diphtheria toxin present in your bloodstream. Since diphtheria is caused by a bacteria, antibiotics are also needed to kill the bacteria directly.
Diphtheria must be treated quickly to prevent serious complications developing. Diphtheria can be fatal – even with treatment, about 1 in 10 diphtheria patients die. Without treatment, up to half of patients can die from the disease.
Reducing the spread
Local health officials must be notified when cases of diphtheria occur. To prevent the spread, the infected person will be advised to have minimal contact with others until they are recovered. Also, health authorities may undertake contact tracing to identify people who may have come in contact with an infected person. They are likely to be at risk of infection.
People with diphtheria can reduce passing it to others by not going to school or work and avoiding large gatherings until you are completely recovered and have had 2 throat swabs that are clear of the bacteria.
People who have been in close contact with an infected person may be offered a diphtheria booster vaccination and preventive doses of antibiotics.
Apps reviewed by Healthify
You may find it useful to look at some Symptom checkers and Symptom trackers.