Diphtheria Symptoms

Signs and symptoms
... Signs and symptoms of diphtheria may include: A sore throat and hoarseness Painful swallowing Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in your neck A thick, gray membrane covering your throat and tonsils...

Causes
... The bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria. Usually the bacteria multiply on or near the surface of the mucous membranes of the throat, where they cause inflammation. Some types of C....

Diphtheria Prevention

Prevention
... Before antibiotics were available, diphtheria was a common illness in young children. Today, the disease is not only treatable but also preventable with a vaccine. The diphtheria vaccine is usually co...

Diphtheria Treatment

Complications
... Left untreated, diphtheria can lead to: Breathing problems. Diphtheria-causing bacteria may produce a toxin, a poison. This toxin damages tissue in the immediate area of infection — the nose and...

Treatment
... Diphtheria is a serious illness. Doctors treat it immediately and aggressively with these medications: An antitoxin. After doctors confirm that a person has diphtheria, the infected child or adult rec...

Diphtheria Other

Overview
... Diphtheria (dif-THEER-e-uh) is a serious bacterial infection, usually affecting the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. The disease typically causes a bad sore throat, fever, swollen glands and ...

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
... Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease involving primarily the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, nose, skin, and occasionally other mucous membranes. The characteristic lesion is marked by a patch or patche...