Pharyngeal Diphtheria

Pharyngeal diphtheria is an acute infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae with short incubation and rapid spread, mostly in children aged 1-7. It is characterized by gray-white pharyngeal pseudomembrane and systemic toxemia; mild cases have gradual onset with ~38°C fever and mild sore throat, severe cases have abrupt onset with high fever, restlessness, tachypnea, cyanosis, and circulatory collapse. Pharyngeal exam shows enlarged tonsils covered by gray-white pseudomembrane extending beyond the tonsils; the membrane is thick, adherent, and removal causes bleeding.

Common Symptoms

Cyanosis; Yi Yupin; airway obstruction; tachypnea; restlessness; fatigue; nausea; secondary infection; eschar; enlarged larynx

Causes and Pathogenesis

C. diphtheriae is pleomorphic, rod or slightly curved, with one/both ends swollen and metachromatic granules. By morphology, biochemistry, colony, and virulence it is classified as gravis, intermedius, or mitis, with varying frequencies by region/time. It has weak invasiveness but produces a potent exotoxin that is the main pathogenic factor.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

1. Infants 3-5 months receive monthly DPT ×3 (primary), booster at 1.5-2 years; at 7 and 15 years, purified DT booster; adults also need boosters. 2. Isolate and treat patients until symptoms resolve and two consecutive nasopharyngeal cultures are negative; minimum 7 days. Disinfect secretions (double-volume 5% cresol soap or phenol for 1 h), boil clothes/utensils 15 min, or soak 1 h; spray rooms after discharge. 3. Contacts in child/adult institutions are observed for 7 days with nasopharyngeal culture and toxin test; adult close contacts also tested.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.