Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the nose and throat caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that is usually spread through respiratory droplets. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and death if not treated. Symptoms include a thick gray coating in the throat, sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing. Complications arise due to toxins affecting organs like the heart, nerves, and lungs. Diagnosis involves examination and testing of throat samples, while treatment consists of antitoxin, antibiotics like penicillin for 14 days, and sometimes hospitalization. Vaccines can prevent diphtheria.

1. Diphtheria

2. What is diphtheria?
Aserious bacterial infection
typically affecting the mucous
membranes of the nose and
throat
Can lead to difficulty
breathing, heart failure,
paralysis and even
death

3. CAUSES
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Most commonly spread through respiratory
droplets ie- coughing, sneezing
Contaminated objects- can be spread by
shared objects such as towels, toys, or sharing
cups

4. Symptoms
Incubation period of about 2-5 days after being
infected
 Thick gray coating
build up in the throat
"pseudomembrane"
 Weakness
 Sore throat
 Low-grade fever
 Difficulty breathing
or rapid breathing
 Nasal discharge
 Enlarged lymph
nodes and swelling in
the neck

5. Cutaneous Diphtheria
 Another type of diphtheria
which affects the skin
 This can cause
Redness
Swelling
Pain
Ulcers

6. Complications-
due to a release of toxins throughout the body and
bloodstream
 Airway blockage
 Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
 Polyneuropathy (nerve damage)
 Paralysis
 Respiratory Failure
Death-
with treatment about 1 out of 10 infected patients will die
and without any treatment 1 out of 2 patients can die

7. Diagnosis & Treatment
*Very important to seek treatmentASAP!*
DX-
 Physical Exam of the
throat
 Throat swab or culture
 Sample of tissue from
infected lesion
TX-
 Antitoxin given IV or IM
 Antibiotics- Penicillin &
Erythromycin usually 14 day
treatment
 Many times patients will be
hospitalized and put on isolation
 Two consecutive negative cultures
must be done once abx are
finished

8. Vaccinations prevent diphtheria
 Routine childhood vaccinations and adult
boosters every 10 years prevent
diphtheria

9. Head Injuries

10. Head Injury
A head injury is any trauma resulting in injury to the scalp, skull or
brain.
A head injury is particularly dangerous as, at first the injury may appear
only minor however major internal injuries have occurred.
A victim with a suspected head injury should be monitored for a number
of days after the incident
There are five main types of head injuries:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lacerations
Concussion
Contusions
Haemorrhage
Compression
Skull Fracture

11. Lacerations
• A laceration is a tear in the
skin as a result of an injury.
In the case of visible bones
or tendons, or excessive
bleeding or pain, the casualty should be
seen to by a doctor

12. Symptoms of Lacerations
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Numbness
• Swelling of
Injured Skin

13. What is a concussion?
• A concussion is a
temporary change inthe
way the brain works when
it is suddenly moved or
jarred, it occurs when the
brain suddenly shifts inside
the skull and knocks
against the skulls bony
surface.
• Concussions can last from
a few moments, to an
unconscious state for over
3 minutes.

14. Symptoms of a Concussion
• memory loss
• Nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Blurred Vision
• Confusion
• Ringing in Ears
• Neck Pain
• Dizziness
• Unconsciousness
• Irritability
• Convulsions

15. Contusion
• a bruise to the brain tissue which occurs when
a number of small blood vessels leak into brain
tissue.
• Contusions occur
when the brain
strikes a ridge in
the skull, when the
head moves
suddenly or hits a solid object with great force.

16. Symptoms of a Contusion
• Severe Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Dilated Pupil
• Weakness of limbs
• Restless, irritable
• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Unconsciousness

17. Haemorrhage
A brain or subarachnoid
haemorrhage occurs when
blood leaks out of the blood
vessels and onto the
surface of the brain. The
blood then damages the
brain tissue which, along
with the blood loss, can
cause serious and
potentially life threatening
brain damage

18. Symptoms of a Haemorrhage
• Sudden and Severe headache
• Nausea / vomiting
• Unconsciousness
• Seizure
• Paralysis
Preserved brain with haemorrhage

19. What is a Skull Fracture
• A skull fracture
occurs after a
head injury and
can be life
threatening as the
fractured bone
may cause
damage to the
brain.

20. Symptoms of a Skull Fracture
• Wound of Bruise on head
• Depression on scalp
• Altered level of response
• Distortion of face
• Blood in the eye
• Clear fluid discharge from nose or ear
• Bruising around eyes
• Bruising or swelling behind an ear