DIPTHERIA AND HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

DIPTHERIA

Diphtheria (Greek διφθέρα (diphthera) "pair of leather scrolls") is an upper respiratory tract illness It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane (a pseudomembrane) on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity.

CAUSATIVE ORGANISM: -

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. Diphtheria is a contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the aerosolized secretions of infected individuals

SYMPTOMS:-

The symptoms of diphtheria usually begin two to seven days after infection. Symptoms of diphtheria include

1.       fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or above,

2.        chills, fatigue,

3.       bluish skin coloration,

4.       sore throat, hoarseness,

5.       cough,

6.        headache,

7.       difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing,

8.        difficulty breathing, rapid breathing,

9.        foul-smelling bloodstained nasal discharge and

10.    lymphadenopathy.

11.    Symptoms can also include cardiac arrhythmias, myocarditis, and cranial and peripheral nerve palsies.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

Treatment should be done according to presenting symptoms. In materia medica there has a good number of medicine for diptheria acording to symptoms similiarity.

Following medicine may be helpful-

1.APIS MEL- THROAT BRIGHT RED, PUFFY, VARNISHED. ULVA LONG, OEDEMATOUS, NOTHING MUST TOUCH THROAT.

2. BAPTISIA-  PURDITY, WITH DULL RED FACE , DROWSINESS, PATIENT AS IF DRUGGED.

3. DIPTHERINUM – WHEN THE ATTACK FROM ONSET TENDS TO MALIGNANCY. PAINLESS DIPTHERIA, EPISTAXIX OR PROFOUND PROSTRATION FROM THE ONSET, COLLAPSE AT THE BEGINNING, MEMBRANE THICK, DARK GREY OR BROWNISH BLACK.

4. KALI BICH – NASAL DIPTHERIA, ROPY DISCHARGE, EXUDATION TOUGH AND FIRMLY ADHERENT.

5.LACHESIS-  MEMBRANE DUSKY, BLACKISH, STARTS LEFT SIDE SPREAD TO  RIGHT. COLD THINGS MORE EASILY SWALLOWED THAN HOT, PAIN AGGRAVATE BY HOT DRINK.

6. LYCOPODIUM – START IN NOSE OR RIGHT SIDE OF THROAT SPREAD TO LEFT, WARM DRINK MORE EASILY SWALLOWED.

7. PHYTOLACCA- MEMBRANE GREY OR WHITE, MAY START ON UVULVA MAY START FROM RIGHT TONSIL TO LEFT BUT PAIN IS WORSE FROM HEAT, COMPLAIN OF LUMP IN THROAT OR AS IF RED-HOT BALL HAD STUCK IN THROAT, PAIN RADIATE TO EAR.