FAQ / Life on Pern / Craft Information / Healer Craft / Infectious Diseases
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Last updated 28th May 2006 by Avery
Diphtheria
In its early stages, diphtheria can be mistaken for a bad sore throat. A low-grade fever and swollen neck glands are the other early symptoms. The poison caused by the bacteria can lead to a thick coating in the nose, throat, or airway. This coating is usually fuzzy gray or black and can cause breathing problems and difficulty in swallowing.
In more advanced stages, the patient may have difficulty breathing or swallowing, complain of double vision, have slurred speech, or even show signs of going into shock (pale, cold skin; rapid heartbeat; sweating; and an anxious appearance).
Diphtheria is an acute and highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. Children under 5 turns old and adults over 80 are particularly at risk for contracting diphtheria, as are those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, and the undernourished.
In advanced cases, diphtheria toxin spreads through the bloodstream and can lead to potentially life-threatening complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and the central nervous system. The toxin can cause tissue damage that affects the heart's ability to pump blood or the kidneys' ability to clear wastes. It can also cause nerve damage, eventually leading to paralysis. Patients suffer a death rate of 40% to 50%.
Diphtheria is highly contagious. It is easily passed from the infected person to others through sneezing, coughing, or even laughing. It also can be spread to others who pick up tissues or drinking glasses that have been used by the infected person.
The incubation period for diphtheria is 2 to 4 days, although it can range from 1 to 6 days. People who have been infected by the diphtheria bacteria can infect others for up to 4 sevendays, even if they don't have any symptoms.
If the patient does survive, they will need at least 4 to 6 sevendays of bed rest. The patient must be isolated. Family members who have not been immunized, or who are very young or elderly, must be protected from contact with the patient.
The information in these pages is provided solely for role-play purposes and should not be relied on to treat a real life medical ailment. See a doctor!!!!!!
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In more advanced stages, the patient may have difficulty breathing or swallowing, complain of double vision, have slurred speech, or even show signs of going into shock (pale, cold skin; rapid heartbeat; sweating; and an anxious appearance).
Diphtheria is an acute and highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. Children under 5 turns old and adults over 80 are particularly at risk for contracting diphtheria, as are those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, and the undernourished.
In advanced cases, diphtheria toxin spreads through the bloodstream and can lead to potentially life-threatening complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and the central nervous system. The toxin can cause tissue damage that affects the heart's ability to pump blood or the kidneys' ability to clear wastes. It can also cause nerve damage, eventually leading to paralysis. Patients suffer a death rate of 40% to 50%.
Diphtheria is highly contagious. It is easily passed from the infected person to others through sneezing, coughing, or even laughing. It also can be spread to others who pick up tissues or drinking glasses that have been used by the infected person.
The incubation period for diphtheria is 2 to 4 days, although it can range from 1 to 6 days. People who have been infected by the diphtheria bacteria can infect others for up to 4 sevendays, even if they don't have any symptoms.
If the patient does survive, they will need at least 4 to 6 sevendays of bed rest. The patient must be isolated. Family members who have not been immunized, or who are very young or elderly, must be protected from contact with the patient.
The information in these pages is provided solely for role-play purposes and should not be relied on to treat a real life medical ailment. See a doctor!!!!!!
See Also: No articles yet
Referenced By: No articles yet