Diphtheria

Written by Dr Charlie Easmon, specialist adviser in travel medicine

How can the disease be treated?
Treatment is a specialist task and is carried out in hospital. There is an antitoxin, which combats the bacterial toxin, but it is used only in suspected cases of diphtheria when there is no time to wait for the results of swabs.

In addition, antibiotics are administered to eliminate the bacteria itself. The sick person should be kept in isolation. Artificial ventilation with respirator treatment may often be necessary.

In addition, people who have been in contact with the patient should be examined. They should be offered vaccination and preventive antibiotic treatment. This should be carried out in co-operation with the community medicine specialist and the hospital.

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