IN THE KNOW: Diphtheria

According to the World Health Organization, there were 4,530 reported cases of diphtheria worldwide in 2015.

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that can harm or destroy human body tissues and organs. One type of diphtheria affects the throat and sometimes the tonsils. The other type, more common in the tropics, causes ulcers on the skin.

Its incubation period is two to five days or may be longer and its period of communicability can last for 2 to 3 weeks but can be shortened in patients with antibiotic treatment.

Diphtheria transmission is increased in crowded areas, schools, hospitals and households. It affects people of all ages, but most often it strikes unimmunized children. It can be prevented through immunization of infants with three doses of DPT (at ages 6 weeks old, 10 weeks old and 14 weeks old). —ANA ROA, INQUIRER RESEARCH

Source: doh.gov.ph, who.int