SHARES
Johor Bahru: On the 21st Feb 2019, a two-year-old toddler who was not immunized against the disease died due to severe diphtheria with multi-organ failure after 3 days of emergency treatment. Two other children in the same house have tested positive for diphtheria.
This incident has prompted the Health Ministry to consider making measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as well as diphtheria vaccination compulsory.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious disease, is also a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection, affecting the mucous membrane of your nose and throat. The hallmark sign of is a layer of thick, grayish material covering the back of your throat, which can block your airway, causing difficulty in breathing.
Medications are available for treating diphtheria. In advanced stage, diphtheria can damage your heart, kidneys and nervous system.
Symptoms
Sign and symptoms normally will begin two to five days after a person becomes infected:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen glands in your neck
- Thick, grayish membrane covering back of throat and tonsils
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Weakness
- Nasal discharge
Prevention
The disease is not only treatable but can be prevented with a vaccine too. The diphtheria vaccine is normally combined together with tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) known as DTaP.
It is a single injection which will be administered at 1, 2, 5 and 18th months of a baby life. A booster shot is also given at the age of 7 for diphtheria and tetanus.
Common misconceptions why parents do not accept vaccination
#1 :It can cause autism.
A recent major study conducted among 650,000 Danish children has again confirmed that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
#2 : Too many components at once can affect child immune system.
Scientific studies have shown that getting multiple vaccines at the same time does not cause any chronic health problems. Moreover, a combined shot at once means less visit to the doctor and also less traumatic to the child.
#3 : Increased risk for febrile seizure.
Fevers are common during childhood which can cause by normal cold, flu or ear infections. High fever by this common illness can cause febrile seizures. Hence, febrile seizures due to common illness have not been shown to cause any brain damage or life-long seizure condition.
Who should not be Vaccinated?
Any person allergic to any components of the vaccine should not be given. People with infantile spasm, epilepsy and encephalopathy within 7 days receiving vaccination should avoid the vaccines as well.
Reminder
Diphtheria, a highly infectious disease, is a totally preventable disease with vaccination. Not vaccinating your child puts your loved ones’ lives in danger as the disease can easily spread in the family and community. Consult your family doctor who is the best person to refer to, instead of random googling and social media posts, where not all information is balanced and sound.
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Reference
- [Internet][cited 2019 March 8th] Available from:
https://dosinghealth.com/2018/03/19/diphtheria-tetanus-and-pertussis-vaccination-myths-and-truths/
- The star. [Internet][cited 2019 March 8th] Available from:
- [Internet][cited 2019 March 8th] Available from:
by Leelah
'' The first step towards a change is awareness !'' The saying which inspired the medical graduate to reach the public through GetDoc. View all articles by Leelah.
