Diphtheria is caused by :

Explanation

Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a type of bacteria that usually affects children up to the age of five. It may start with symptoms such as a sore throat, chills, mild fever, sometimes vomiting, and headache. The throat and/or tonsils may show a gray membrane, which can spread downward and cause hoarseness and difficulty in breathing. The nose may also be affected, giving rise to a blood-tinged nasal discharge from one nostril. If the disease is not treated early and properly, the toxin produced by the bacteria can affect the heart and the nervous system, leading to a fatal outcome. The germs are present in the discharges from the nose and throat of patients, as well as in healthy people who act as carriers. Both patients and carriers can spread the disease through activities like kissing, talking, coughing, and sneezing. The incubation period is typically 2 to 5 days. If there is no isolation hospital in the town, the patient should be kept in a well-ventilated room. The most important preventive measure against this disease is to ensure that all babies are immunized within the first six weeks of birth using the DPT vaccine.