Due to Diphtheria being highly contagious, treatment for the disease starts before the test results come back from the hospital. These treatments include:
- Hospitalisation
- Isolation to prevent further spread of the unwanted disease
- Antibiotics, such as Penicillin, to destroy the dead cells and bacteria build up.
- Diphtheria antibiotics
- Other medicines to reduce the risk of adverse reactions to the vaccine. For example: Corticosteroids, adrenaline or antihistamines.
- surgery to remove the grey membrane in the throat (only if necessary)
- Treatment for Myocarditis
- Bed rest for six weeks or more- depending on how serious it has become.
Treatments in the time of 1735 were largely ineffective, but one approach of treatment was described in a Boston newspaper:
'METHOD OF CURE OF THROAT DISTEMPER.
What is used is as follows. First be sure that a vein be opened under the tongue, and if that can't be done, open a vein in the arm, which must be first done, as all other means will be ineffectual. Then take borax or honey to bathe or annoint the mouth and throat, and lay on the Throat a plaister Vngiuntum Dialthae. To drink a decoction of Devil's bitt or Robbin's Plantain, with some Sal Prunelle dissolved therein, as often as the patient will drink. If the body be costive use a clyster agreeable to the nature of the Distemper. I have known many other things used, especially a root called Physick Root, filarie or five-leaved physick; also a root that I know no name for, only Canker Root. But be sure and let blood, and that under the tongue. We have many times made Blisters under the arms, but that has proved sometimes dangerous.'
--Boston Gazette, March 18, 1735
A French physician by the name of Pierre Bretonneau recorded the first successful use of tracheotomy in a case of diphtheria. His procedure, which had been originally used to treat other conditions, involves cutting an opening in the trachea and inserting a tube through the opening to allow passage of air and removal of secretions. Sadly Bretonneau tried this method several times but most of his patience died.