Diphtheria for travellers-Risks, Symptoms and Immunization

1
Diphtheria for travellers  Risks, Symptoms and
Immunization
2
What is Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infection caused by the
bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Signs and
symptoms may vary from mild to severe. They
usually start two to five days after exposure.
Symptoms often come on fairly gradually beginning
with a sore throat and fever. In severe cases a
grey or white patch develops in the throat.
This can block the airway and create a barking
cough as in croup. The neck may swell in part due
to large lymph nodes. A form of diphtheria that
involves the skin, eyes, or genitals also exists.
3
(No Transcript)
4
The Risks for Travelers
Ensure British Vaccination Schedule complete for
all travelers including booster doses as
teenagers. Travelers should be aware of

• Persistence of disease in many regions of the
  world to which unvaccinated individuals are
  susceptible
• Waning immunity from diphtheria vaccine with
  increasing age
• Individuals with an incomplete primary
  vaccination history for diphtheria, irrespective
  of region of travel
• 10 yearly boosters of vaccine should be given for
  travel to epidemic/endemic areas particularly
  where individuals will be mixing with the local
  population (e.g. health workers, teachers,
  volunteers)

5
Signs and Symptoms of Diphtheria

• Presentation varies depending on region of upper
  respiratory tract affected.
• Pseudomembrane characteristic a grey/white
  membrane adherent to underlying mucosa resulting
  from toxin effects.
• Typically presents with fever, malaise and sore
  throat  pseudomembrane is visible on the tonsils
  and may extend to the rest of the pharynx/larynx.
• Associated with bull neck appearance enlarged
  painful neck lymph nodes and soft tissue oedema.

6
This is all just part of the service offered by
the TravelDoc , who wish for nothing more than
safe and healthy travels for you.
Derby
Nottingham

• Sheffield

1 Bridge Street Derby, DE1 3HZ Phone 01332
332530
Kingfisher House 90 Rockingham Street Sheffield,
S1 4EB Phone [phone]
2 Regent Street Nottingham, NG1 5BQ Phone 0115
9475498
Watford
Leicester
Leeds
108 Regent Road Leicester, LE1 7LT Phone 0116
254 1282
Abbott's House 198 Lower High St, WD17 2FF Phone
44 800 583 3331
4 Park Square E Leeds, LS1 2NE Phone
44 113 344 8699
Country United Kingdom Email info_at_travel-doc.com
Website www.travel-doc.com