The term "strangling angel" directly refers to one of the causes of death from diphtheria—suffocation caused by the closing of the airway due to necrotic pseudomembranes (resembling "angel wings") forming in the throat and swelling of the neck due to the significant enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. Vaccines were supposed to protect against this disease, and in Poland, they are mandatory. This helped eliminate the disease, but it is now making a return.
Diphtheria - A disease from the 19th century that is making a comeback
Diphtheria is a life-threatening disease. Before the introduction of widespread vaccinations, it caused great fear and was known as the "strangling angel" because it claimed the lives of thousands of children. However, with the advancement of medicine and mandatory vaccinations for children, the disease was practically eradicated.
Currently, no cases of diphtheria are recorded in Poland, but according to the vaccination portal (szczepienia.pzh.gov.pl), "WHO data show 7,097 cases of the disease reported in 2016. Diphtheria remains endemic in countries in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America. In Europe, 20-30 cases and a few deaths are reported each year."
Radio ZET reported that two cases of the disease have been recorded in Berlin and Brandenburg. One of them is a 10-year-old student from Berlin. According to Wojciech Hernes, the boy is currently in the infectious disease ward of a Berlin clinic and is in serious condition. He was not vaccinated against diphtheria. The second patient diagnosed with diphtheria had been vaccinated, which is why he is experiencing milder symptoms, though he still requires hospitalization.
Vaccinations against diphtheria are not mandatory in Germany, but many doctors recommend them. In Poland, however, vaccination is mandatory for children and adolescents up to the age of 19. It is also worth noting that adults who have been vaccinated should receive booster doses every 10 years.
Diphtheria - How to recognize it? What to watch for?
The first symptoms of diphtheria usually appear 2 to 6 days after infection. In its early stages, it is often mistaken for strep throat. The course of the disease will depend on the clinical form, but most commonly it affects the throat and larynx.
The disease typically begins with weakness, sore throat, and a general feeling of being unwell. Other characteristic symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and a foul odor from the mouth.
In the case of laryngeal diphtheria, symptoms may also include:
- Laryngeal stridor,
- Cough,
- Shortness of breath,
- Fever up to 38°C (100.4°F),
- White coating on the tonsils,
- Loss of voice.
Treatment involves the administration of a dose of serum (the amount depends on the severity and stage of the disease) containing diphtheria antitoxin (antidiphtheric serum) along with antibiotics. In addition, treatment includes vitamin C, B complex vitamins, and cocarboxylase.
