Doc Fio

​

• Diphtheria.

     Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that can infect the body in two areas

     The diphtheria bacterium can enter the body through the nose and mouth. It can also enter through a break in the             skin. It is transmitted from person-to-person by fluids from the lungs, nose, throat and mouth, or droplets in the air.             

     After being exposed to the bacteria, it can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

     The throat (respiratory diphtheria)

     The skin (skin or cutaneous diphtheria)

​

• Tetanus.

      Tetanus (lockjaw) is an serious, often fatal, disease of the central nervous system. It is caused by the toxin of the                  tetanus bacterium, which usually enters the body through an open wound. Tetanus causes painful tightening of the            muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the person cannot open his or her mouth or            swallow.

​

     Tetanus is not contagious. It occurs in people who have had a skin or deep tissue wound or puncture. 

​

• Pertussis. 

      Pertussis, or whooping cough, mainly affects infants and young children. It is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella        pertussis. Pertussis causes intense fits or spells (paroxysms) of coughing that end with the characteristic whoop as air        is inhaled. Whooping cough causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants and children to eat, drink, or                breathe. These spells can last for weeks. In infants, it may cause periods of apnea (not breathing). It is spread from

      person to person through droplets in the air (coughing and sneezing), and is highly contagious. Once the bacterium is

      in the child's airways, swelling of the airways and mucus production starts. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain

      damage, and death.