Therapy
The therapy has two goals. On the one hand, the body needs an antidote to the diphtheria toxin quickly, on the other hand, the producer of the toxin, i.e. the germ itself, must be fought to counteract a “toxin supply”. The antidote (antitoxin, diphtheria-antitoxin-Behring) can be provided quickly by a clinic.
Conventional penicillin is effective against the germ itself. Against the diphtheria toxin released by the diphtheria bacteria, an antitoxin can be given in therapy. This drug is very effective in an emergency and neutralizes the diphtheria toxins so that they are no longer effective and can cause the death of many cells in the body. Since an intravenous administration of the antitoxin can occasionally lead to a so-called anaphylactic shock, i.e. a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system, this is first injected under the skin and then given intravenously if it is well tolerated.
Vaccination against diphtheria
There are various forms of combination vaccines against diphtheria, for example with tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis. These include the common vaccines Boostrix Polio® and Repevax®. Other combination forms also include Haemophilus Influenza B and Hepatitis B.
A vaccine that alone prevents a diphtheria infection is not common in Germany. All of these vaccines are so-called dead vaccines, which means that antibodies are injected into the body to act against the bacteria. As a rule, the vaccination is relatively uncomplicated and has no additional specific side effects.
However, people with an acute infection with fever and pregnant women should not be vaccinated. It is important to know that an illness that has been through does not provide life-long protection. The body can be attacked again by the bacteria and fall ill.
Therefore it is important that all people are vaccinated against diphtheria. Since vaccination against diphtheria is recommended by the STIKO and is one of the standard vaccinations, diphtheria infections rarely occur in Germany. Vaccination against diphtheria should be given 4 times in the first year of life of each person: After that, two more vaccinations should be given until the age of 18: After that, the vaccination should be refreshed every 10 years.
However, if you have been in contact with a diphtheria sufferer and the vaccination was given more than 5 years ago, it is recommended to repeat it immediately.
- In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th month of life
- Between the 11th and 14th month of life
- In the 5. -6. year of life
- Between the age of 9 and 17
Today’s vaccines usually offer very good protection, so it is unlikely to develop diphtheria despite vaccination. One should take care to regularly follow the booster vaccinations. In addition, if you come into contact with a potentially infected person and have been vaccinated for more than 5 years since your last vaccination, you should have a booster vaccination immediately.
