Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diphtheria risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Common risk factors in the development of diphtheria include a lack of immunization, a history of travel to areas endemic for diphtheria, exposure to overcrowding and/or poor sanitary conditions, and immunocompromised status.[1][2][3][4][5]
Risk factors
Risk factors
Common risk factors in the development of diphtheria may include:[1][2][3][4][5]
- Lack of immunization
- History of contact with diphtheria patients
- Presence of skin lesions
- Presence of eczema
- History of chronic health conditions
- History of travel to areas endemic for diphtheria
- Overcrowding
- Exposure to poor sanitary conditions
- Poor personal hygiene
- Sharing utensils and fomites with person suffering from diphtheria
- Presence of tonsils
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Quick ML, Sutter RW, Kobaidze K, Malakmadze N, Nakashidze R, Murvanidze S; et al. (2000). “Risk factors for diphtheria: a prospective case-control study in the Republic of Georgia, 1995-1996”. J Infect Dis. 181 Suppl 1: S121–9. doi:10.1086/315563. PMID 10657203.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Vitek CR, Brennan MB, Gotway CA, Bragina VY, Govorukina NV, Kravtsova ON; et al. (1999). “Risk of diphtheria among schoolchildren in the Russian Federation in relation to time since last vaccination”. Lancet. 353 (9150): 355–8. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)03488-6. PMID 9950440.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Koopman JS, Campbell J (1975). “The role of cutaneous diphtheria infections in a diphtheria epidemic”. J Infect Dis. 131 (3): 239–44. PMID 805182.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Belsey MA, Sinclair M, Roder MR, LeBlanc DR (1969). “Corynebacterium diphtheriae skin infections in Alabama and Louisiana. A factor in the epidemiology of diphtheria”. N Engl J Med. 280 (3): 135–41. doi:10.1056/NEJM196901162800304. PMID 4972946.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Favorova LA (1969). “The risk of infection in droplet infections. The influence of overcrowding and prolonged contact on transmission of the diphtheria pathogen”. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol. 13 (1): 73–82. PMID 5814141.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2], Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[3]