i think so but i'm not sure
2006-10-31 10:14:47 · 5 answers · asked by SAMMY 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
In post-industrial areas like Europe, the US, Canada, etc, kids routinely get vaccinated for it at a very young age, and it has therefore almost completely disappeared in these areas. It's the 'D' in a DPT shot (the P is 'pertusis' and the 'T' is tetanus, both of which are likewise uncommon in post-industrial areas; uncommon but not nonexistent!).
All three of these still persist with greater prevalence in third world areas.
2006-10-31 10:26:05 · answer #1 · answered by Geoffrey B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does Diphtheria Still Exist
2017-01-19 09:30:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, but there is a vaccine for it. CDC:
Clinical Features Respiratory diphtheria presents as a sore throat with low-grade fever and an adherent membrane of the tonsils, pharynx, or nose. Neck swelling is usually present in severe disease. Cutaneous diphtheria presents as infected skin lesions which lack a characteristic appearance.
Etiologic Agent Toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Incidence Approximately 0.001 cases per 100,000 population in the U.S. since 1980; before the introduction of vaccine in the 1920s incidence was 100-200 cases per 100,000 population. Diphtheria remains endemic in developing countries. The countries of the former Soviet Union have reported >150,000 cases in an epidemic which began in 1990.
Complications Myocarditis, polyneuritis, and airway obstruction are common complications of respiratory diphtheria; death occurs in 5%-10% of respiratory cases. Complications and deaths are much less frequent in cutaneous diphtheria.
Transmission Direct person- to-person transmission by intimate respiratory and physical contact. Cutaneous lesions are important in transmission.
Risk Groups In the pre-vaccine era, children were at highest risk for respiratory diphtheria. Recently, diphtheria has primarily affected adults in the sporadic cases reported in the U.S. and in the large outbreaks in Russia and New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union.
2006-10-31 11:07:56 · answer #3 · answered by Eve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is. At least, the last time I checked it was recommended as one of the first vaccinations for a kid.
2006-10-31 10:17:47 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More common in third world countries where vaccinations are not available.
2006-10-31 10:17:46 · answer #5 · answered by CH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋