Definitions for Diphtheria
dɪfˈθɪər i ə, dɪp-diph·the·ri·a

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. diphtherianoun

   acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. diphtherianoun

   A highly infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract characterised by a sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing. Its effects are due to a potent toxin secreted by a bacterium.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Diphtheria

   Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Most infections are asymptomatic or have a mild clinical course, but in some outbreaks more than 10% of those diagnosed with the disease may die. Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe and usually start two to five days after exposure. Symptoms often come on fairly gradually, beginning with a sore throat and fever. In severe cases, a grey or white patch develops in the throat. This can block the airway and create a barking cough as in croup. The neck may swell in part due to enlarged lymph nodes. A form of diphtheria which involves the skin, eyes or genitals also exists. Complications may include myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low levels of platelets. Myocarditis may result in an abnormal heart rate and inflammation of the nerves may result in paralysis.Diphtheria is usually spread between people by direct contact or through the air. It may also be spread by contaminated objects. Some people carry the bacterium without having symptoms, but can still spread the disease to others. The three main types of C. diphtheriae cause different severities of disease. The symptoms are due to a toxin produced by the bacterium. Diagnosis can often be made based on the appearance of the throat with confirmation by microbiological culture. Previous infection may not protect against infection.A diphtheria vaccine is effective for prevention and available in a number of formulations. Three or four doses, given along with tetanus vaccine and pertussis vaccine, are recommended during childhood. Further doses of diphtheria–tetanus vaccine are recommended every ten years. Protection can be verified by measuring the antitoxin level in the blood. Diphtheria can be prevented in those exposed as well as treated with the antibiotics erythromycin or benzylpenicillin. A tracheotomy is sometimes needed to open the airway in severe cases.In 2015, 4,500 cases were officially reported worldwide, down from nearly 100,000 in 1980. About a million cases a year are believed to have occurred before the 1980s. Diphtheria currently occurs most often in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Indonesia. In 2015, it resulted in 2,100 deaths, down from 8,000 deaths in 1990. In areas where it is still common, children are most affected. It is rare in the developed world due to widespread vaccination but can re-emerge if vaccination rates decrease. In the United States, 57 cases were reported between 1980 and 2004. Death occurs in 5% to 10% of those diagnosed. The disease was first described in the 5th century BC by Hippocrates. The bacterium was identified in 1882 by Edwin Klebs.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. diphtheria

   Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. It's caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that can damage human tissues, particularly within the respiratory system. The infection primarily spreads through person-to-person contact or sometimes through contact with items touched by an infected person. Vaccinations are available against diphtheria and are commonly administered in many parts of the world.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Diphtherianoun

   a very dangerous contagious disease in which the air passages, and especially the throat, become coated with a false membrane, produced by the solidification of an inflammatory exudation. Cf. Group

2. Etymology: [NL., fr. Gr. leather (hence taken in the sense of membrane): cf. to make soft, L. depsere to knead.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Diphtheria

   Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity. A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin. Less common consequences include myocarditis and peripheral neuropathy. Diphtheria is a contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the aerosolized secretions of infected individuals. Historically quite common, diphtheria has largely been eradicated in industrialized nations through widespread vaccination. In the United States, for example, there were 53 reported cases of diphtheria between 1980 and 2000, but only a total of 2 cases of diphtheria have been reported in the 21st century, the last of which was in 2003. The diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus vaccine is recommended for all school-age children in the U.S., and boosters of the vaccine are recommended for adults, since the benefits of the vaccine decrease with age without constant re-exposure; they are particularly recommended for those traveling to areas where the disease has not been eradicated.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Diphtheria

   dif-thē′ri-a, n. a throat disease in which the air-passages become covered and impeded with a leathery membrane, and a dangerous fever is present.—adj. Diphtherit′ic. [A coinage of 1859 from Gr. diphthera, leather.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. Diphtheria

   a contagious disease characterised by the formation of a false membrane on the back of the throat.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Diphtheria

   A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.

Matched Categories

1. • Contagious Disease

How to pronounce Diphtheria?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

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   Mark

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   Daniel

   British

   Libby

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   Mia

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   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

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   Indian

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   Neerja

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How to say Diphtheria in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Diphtheria in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Diphtheria in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of Diphtheria in a Sentence

1. Amador Medina:

   The Warao community here is reacting with apathy : most of the population is not aware of the seriousness of the case, culturally, they just consider The Warao community just another disease like diphtheria or malaria, just one more case.

2. Manuel Olivares:

   This and the comeback of diphtheria and measles, is the result of a serious deficiency in the Immunization Plan.

3. James Campbell:

   Nobody's dying of polio, nobody's dying of measles in the United States. Nobody's dying of diphtheria.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Diphtheria
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Diphtheria
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Diphtheria
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Diphtheria
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Diphtheria
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Diphtheria