Anti-toxin can fight Diptheria infection
The Democratic Alliance has requested that the Department of Health stocks up on Diptheria anti-toxin.
KZN’s Health Department has been urged by the Democratic Alliance to obtain stock of the Diptheria anti-toxin so it will be available to use immediately in suspected cases.
This request follows news that South Africa is at the mercy of the disease because it does not stock the anti-toxin, which needs to be administered early in suspected cases. According to a media statement issued by the DA, administering the Diptheria anti-toxin can save lives if given within the first three to four days of a quick clinical diagnosis or suspicion.
The statement further mentioned the recent cases of Diphtheria in KZN should not cause widespread public panic, but they should cause alarm bells to ring. The infection is extremely contagious and can spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
Those at risk include individuals who have not been vaccinated at all or have not received booster vaccines, children, people living in crowded conditions with poor hygiene. People with compromised immune systems are at high risk.
Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, coughing, difficulty in breathing, a watery or bloody nose discharge. When the throat is examined a greyish membrane may be found.
Complications of the disease can follow even after treated. It must be remembered that not every case presenting with a sore throat means that someone is infected.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease. According to the World health Organisation, it was last seen in South Africa in 2009. Another reference cites the last case in 2010. The disease is treatable with antibiotics. These should be available at every public healthcare facility, especially in KZN.
The DA urges those who are not vaccinated, or who have missed the boosters, to heed government’s call and visit healthcare facilities.
The first vaccination is usually given at six weeks after birth, followed afterwards at intervals advised by the clinic until the last dose which is given to children at 12 years of age.
