Diphtheria Treatment in India

Rohan Sharma, a 58-year-old retired schoolteacher...

Rohan Sharma, a 58-year-old retired schoolteacher from a small town, had always been diligent about his health. He presented to the ENT clinic with a severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a low-grade fever that had persisted for four days. A thick, grey membrane had begun to form at the back of his throat, and his neck was noticeably swollen. Rohan, a gentle man who loved reading to his grandchildren, was frightened by his rapidly worsening ability to speak and breathe. The ENT specialist, after a swift examination, confirmed the clinical suspicion of diphtheria. He explained the urgency: the bacterial toxin was causing the dangerous membrane and systemic illness. Rohan was immediately hospitalized and isolated. Treatment began with a diphtheria antitoxin injection to neutralize the circulating toxin, followed by a course of antibiotics (erythromycin) to kill the bacteria. He was monitored closely in the ICU for airway obstruction and cardiac complications. The recovery was slow and arduous. For a week, he was weak and anxious, relying on intravenous fluids and oxygen support. The membrane gradually sloughed off, and his breathing eased. After two weeks, he was discharged, profoundly grateful but physically depleted. Emotionally, he journeyed from terror at the threat of suffocation to immense relief and a new appreciation for his simple joys. He became a vocal advocate for adult booster vaccinations in his community.