Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of the condition are largely due to an exotoxin produced by the bacteria that affects different organ systems.
Common associated symptoms and signs of diphtheria include sore throat, fever, and the development of an adherent membrane covering the tonsils and throat. Other symptoms can include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, fever, chills, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, swollen lymph nodes, headache, weakness, fatigue, and cough. Severe infections can involve other organ systems such as the heart and the nervous system, potentially resulting in heart failure and nerve damage. Skin infections are also possible with diphtheria. Complications of diphtheria may be severe enough to be fatal.
Cause of diphtheria
Infection with Corynebacterium diphtheria bacteria causes diphtheria.
Other diphtheria symptoms and signs
- Chills
- Coughing
- Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Malaise
- Rash
- Runny Nose
- Shortness of Breath
- Sore Throat
- Swollen Lymph Nodes in the Neck
- Thick Gray Membrane in the Nose or Throat (Pseudomembrane)
- Ulcers
- Weakness
