Diphtheria was once considered the leading cause of death among young children, but the infection was not feared for many years. Two new cases of diphtheria in Berlin are raising alarm bells again.
A ten-year-old child from the Havelland area of Brandenburg is seriously ill with diphtheria. The boy even had to undergo invasive ventilation, as the “Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung” (MAZ) reported on Sunday (October 13), citing the district. Specifically, the child suffered from severe pharyngeal diphtheria.
The child was not vaccinated – another student was infected
The boy was admitted to the West Brandenburg Clinic in Potsdam on September 26 because of “acute inflammation of the throat tonsils”. The life-threatening infection was also diagnosed there. According to “Bild”, the child was then taken to the Charité Berlin due to the severe course of the illness and is being treated there.
The ten-year-old child had not previously been vaccinated against diphtheria. The parents “didn’t take immunization recommendations seriously,” a Bild insider said.
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Since diphtheria is a contagious infection, the health department in Havelland began “investigations and measures to protect close contacts in private and school environments,” according to the MAZ. According to “Bild”, another case of diphtheria was diagnosed at the Waldorf school in Berlin-Spandau, which the child attended. However, the affected person is vaccinated against the infection and the course of the disease is mild.
Diphtheria was once rampant in Europe
Bacteria that secrete a strong toxin that causes the infection. This can lead to life-threatening conditions. According to the AOK, diphtheria is spread through droplets – for example through sneezing, coughing, kissing or direct contact with the skin.
Diphtheria has long been considered one of the most dangerous infections in Europe. In the 19th century, around 50,000 children fell victim to the disease each year. Emil von Behring in particular pushed the fight against diphtheria forward with his research, and the number of victims fell.
These are the symptoms of the “strangling angel”
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria is the most widespread form of the infection. This leads to acute inflammation in the throat and larynx area. Because the inflammation can lead to “narrowing of the airways, shortness of breath and asthma attacks”, the infection was called “strangling angel” in the 20th century.
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria can affect not only the throat but also the tonsils and nose. “Usually, infection first starts with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and elevated temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius,” says the health insurance company. Hoarseness, wheezing or hissing breathing sounds, paralysis of the palate, and swelling of the anterior cervical lymph nodes are also listed as symptoms.