Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets when a person coughs, sneezes, or comes into close contact with an infected person. The source of infection can be either a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier.

The disease occurs worldwide, including in Europe. In recent years, isolated cases and local outbreaks have once again been reported in some European countries, particularly among unvaccinated individuals or people with insufficient protection due to waning immunity. In the Czech Republic, diphtheria is rare thanks to long-term vaccination, but the risk of imported cases persists.

The incubation period is usually 2–5 days. Typical symptoms include a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, and the appearance of grayish-white patches on the tonsils and in the respiratory tract. These patches can cause severe breathing difficulties, even leading to suffocation. The toxin can also damage the heart, nervous system, or kidneys.

The disease requires immediate treatment with antibiotics and, above all, the administration of diphtheria antitoxin. Even with treatment, diphtheria can take a severe course and lead to death. The most effective prevention is vaccination. The diphtheria vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule, and protection must be regularly renewed in adulthood through booster shots, most often in combination with vaccines against tetanus and whooping cough.