Diphtheria

SEO Title: Diphtheria: Cause, Transmission, Symptoms, Vaccination and Prevention

Category: Science & Technology | Health | Communicable Diseases

UPSC Notes

Diphtheria is a potentially serious bacterial infectious disease caused primarily by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Key Pointers

  • Causative organism: Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

  • Primarily affects the:

    • Throat

    • Nose

    • Upper respiratory tract

  • Produces a toxin that can cause serious complications.

  • Transmission mainly occurs through respiratory droplets and close contact.

  • A characteristic pseudomembrane can develop in the throat.

  • Complications may include:

    • Heart damage

    • Nerve damage

    • Breathing difficulty

  • Prevented primarily through vaccination.

  • Diphtheria is included in India's childhood immunisation programme through combination vaccines.

Prelims Focus: C. diphtheriae → toxin → respiratory droplets → pseudomembrane → vaccination.