Kalaburgi: Senior officials of the state medical education department rushed to the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kalaburugi as 21 girls students of the college, staying in the institute hostel were hospitalized following diphtheria symptoms.
According to the institute authorities, these students were examined following the complaints of throat infection. A total of 110 students and 30 staff were examined and diphtheria symptoms were confirmed in 21 students.
GIMS director Dr. Shivakumar informed that the students are treated for the symptoms and the samples collected have been sent to Bengaluru lab for further investigation. He informed that all the students are recovering.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. The condition is typically spread through person-to-person contact or through contact with objects that have the bacteria on them, such as a cup or used tissue. You may also get diphtheria if you’re around an infected person when they sneeze, cough, or blow their nose. Even if an infected person doesn’t show any signs or symptoms of diphtheria, they’re still able to transmit the bacterial infection for up to six weeks after the initial infection. The bacteria most commonly infect your nose and throat. Once you’re infected, the bacteria release dangerous substances called toxins.
