What Is Diphtheria?
Generally rare in the United States and other developed countries in large part due to the diphtheria vaccine, diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Typically characterized by fever, sore throat, general weakness and swollen glands, diphtheria is very contagious and requires a significant amount of time for recovery. The trademark sign of the illness if a sheet of thick, grayish material coating the back of the throat, which can block the windpipe and make breathing difficult.
General symptoms of diphtheria develop between two to five days after a person has been exposed to the bacteria. In addition to pervasive cold-like symptoms, diphtheria is also characterized by rapid breathing, nasal discharge, fever, chills and malaise. In rare cases, no signs or symptoms are shown and the infected individual is considered a carrier as he or she can infect other individuals but is not sick.
Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which can be spread any of three ways. The three routes of transfer include infected airborne droplets from a cough or sneeze, contaminated personal items like a glass or tissue and contaminated household items such as a towel or toy.
Natural Diphtheria Remedies
While the diphtheria vaccine has made the illness much less common, periodic outbreaks are still possible. Natural treatments are recommended to speed healing time and overall recovery. A light natural diet consisting of easy to digest fruits and vegetables is advisable. Additionally, water and orange juice aid in cleansing and boosting the immune system. Lemon juice and garlic also improve the body’s ability to fight the infection and support healing. Fresh pineapple is also considered an effective treatment option for boosting immunity and repairing the immune system. Powdered sulfur applied to the feet or in the shoes is considered an effective treatment for preventing diphtheria as are avoiding contact, regular hand washing, and maintaining a healthy diet complete with supplements.
Additional Pages of Interest:
Fever
Sore Throat
