Risk Factors of Diphtheria

Risk Factors of Diphtheria

• Diphtheria is most common in areas where people live in crowded conditions with poor sanitation.
• Race: Native Americans generally have much higher rates of diphtheria infection than whites.
• Sex: studies suggest that women are at higher risk than men because of lower immunization rates.

• Age: due to lack of routine immunization among the children aged 6-12 months the disease incidence increased drastically.
• Known exposure, current epidemic, and travel to endemic areas increases risk
• Compromised host, individuals addicted to alcohol and illicit drug users are at an increased risk of diphtheria.
• Homosexual men have increased incidence rates.
• Adults older than 60 years of age and who have not received immunization are at an increased risk of the disease.