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Source: https://www.prosieben.de/serien/new...in-schueler-lebensbedrohlich-infiziert-445281
Diphtheria outbreak in Berlin: Student with life-threatening infection
Updated: 10/16/2024 5:31 p.m.Emre Bölükbasi
Diphtheria was once considered the main cause of death among young children, but the infection has not been feared for decades. Two new cases of diphtheria in Berlin are now setting off alarm bells again.
A ten-year-old from the Havelland district of Brandenburg is seriously ill with diphtheria. The boy even had to be ventilated invasively, as the "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung" (MAZ) reported on Sunday (October 13), citing the district. Specifically, the child is suffering from severe pharyngeal diphtheria.
Child was unvaccinated - another student infected
The boy had previously been admitted to the West Brandenburg Clinic in Potsdam on September 26 due to "acute inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils." The life-threatening infection was also diagnosed there. According to "Bild", the child was then taken to the Charité Berlin due to the serious nature of the disease and is being treated there.
The ten-year-old had not previously been vaccinated against diphtheria. The parents had "not taken recommendations for immunization so seriously", "Bild" quoted an insider as saying.
Since diphtheria is a contagious infection, the health department in Havelland initiated "investigations and measures to protect close contacts in the private and school environment", according to the MAZ. According to "Bild", another case of diphtheria was diagnosed at the Waldorf school in Berlin-Spandau, which the child attended. However, the affected person was vaccinated against the infection and the course of the disease was mild.
Diphtheria was once rampant in Europe
The infection is caused by bacteria that secrete a strong poison. This can lead to life-threatening circumstances. According to the AOK, diphtheria is spread via droplets - for example, through sneezing, coughing, kissing or direct skin contact.
Diphtheria was long considered one of the most dangerous infections in Europe. In the 19th century, around 50,000 children fell victim to the disease every year. Emil von Behring in particular drove the fight against diphtheria forward with his research, and the number of victims fell.
These are the symptoms of the "strangling angel"
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria is the most common version of the infection. It causes severe inflammation in the throat and larynx area. Because the inflammation can lead to "a narrowing of the airways, shortness of breath and choking attacks", the infection was also known as the "strangling angel" in the 20th century.
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria can affect not only the throat but also the tonsils and nose. "An infection usually begins with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and elevated temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius," says the health insurance company. Hoarseness, whistling or hissing breathing noises, paralysis of the soft palate and swelling of the anterior neck lymph nodes are also listed as symptoms.
Diphtheria outbreak in Berlin: Student with life-threatening infection
Updated: 10/16/2024 5:31 p.m.Emre Bölükbasi
Diphtheria was once considered the main cause of death among young children, but the infection has not been feared for decades. Two new cases of diphtheria in Berlin are now setting off alarm bells again.
A ten-year-old from the Havelland district of Brandenburg is seriously ill with diphtheria. The boy even had to be ventilated invasively, as the "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung" (MAZ) reported on Sunday (October 13), citing the district. Specifically, the child is suffering from severe pharyngeal diphtheria.
Child was unvaccinated - another student infected
The boy had previously been admitted to the West Brandenburg Clinic in Potsdam on September 26 due to "acute inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils." The life-threatening infection was also diagnosed there. According to "Bild", the child was then taken to the Charité Berlin due to the serious nature of the disease and is being treated there.
The ten-year-old had not previously been vaccinated against diphtheria. The parents had "not taken recommendations for immunization so seriously", "Bild" quoted an insider as saying.
Since diphtheria is a contagious infection, the health department in Havelland initiated "investigations and measures to protect close contacts in the private and school environment", according to the MAZ. According to "Bild", another case of diphtheria was diagnosed at the Waldorf school in Berlin-Spandau, which the child attended. However, the affected person was vaccinated against the infection and the course of the disease was mild.
Diphtheria was once rampant in Europe
The infection is caused by bacteria that secrete a strong poison. This can lead to life-threatening circumstances. According to the AOK, diphtheria is spread via droplets - for example, through sneezing, coughing, kissing or direct skin contact.
Diphtheria was long considered one of the most dangerous infections in Europe. In the 19th century, around 50,000 children fell victim to the disease every year. Emil von Behring in particular drove the fight against diphtheria forward with his research, and the number of victims fell.
These are the symptoms of the "strangling angel"
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria is the most common version of the infection. It causes severe inflammation in the throat and larynx area. Because the inflammation can lead to "a narrowing of the airways, shortness of breath and choking attacks", the infection was also known as the "strangling angel" in the 20th century.
According to the AOK, pharyngeal diphtheria can affect not only the throat but also the tonsils and nose. "An infection usually begins with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and elevated temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius," says the health insurance company. Hoarseness, whistling or hissing breathing noises, paralysis of the soft palate and swelling of the anterior neck lymph nodes are also listed as symptoms.