BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuDiphtheriaRespiratory diphtheria; Pharyngeal diphtheria; Diphtheric cardiomyopathy; Diphtheric polyneuropathyDiphtheria is an acute infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.AcuteAcute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The bacteria that cause diphtheria spread through respiratory droplets (such as from a cough or sneeze) of an infected person or someone who carries the bacteria but has no symptoms.The bacteria most commonly infect your nose and throat. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can block your airways. In some cases, diphtheria infects your skin first and causes skin lesions.Skin lesionsRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Once you are infected, the bacteria make dangerous substances called toxins. The toxins spread through your bloodstream to other organs, such as the heart and brain, and cause damage.Because of widespread vaccination (immunization) of children, diphtheria is now rare in many parts of the world. Risk factors for diphtheria include crowded environments, poor hygiene, and lack of immunization. Symptoms Symptoms usually occur 2 to 5 days after the bacteria enter your body: Fever and chills Sore throat, hoarseness HoarsenessHoarseness refers to difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or quality ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Painful swallowing Croup-like (barking) cough Drooling (suggests airway blockage is about to occur) DroolingDrooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bluish coloration of the skin Bluish coloration of the skinA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bloody, watery drainage from nose Breathing problems, including difficulty breathing, fast breathing, high-pitched breathing sound (stridor) StridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often hea...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skin sores (usually seen in tropical areas) Sometimes there are no symptoms. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look inside your mouth. This may reveal a gray to black covering (pseudomembrane) in the throat, enlarged lymph glands, and swelling of the neck or vocal cords.Enlarged lymph glandsLymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests used may include:Gram stain or throat culture to identify the diphtheria bacteria Gram stainA Gram stain is a test used to identify bacteria. It is one of the most common ways to quickly diagnose bacterial infection in the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Throat cultureA throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Toxin assay (to detect the presence of the toxin made by the bacteria) Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If your provider thinks you have diphtheria, treatment will likely be started right away, even before test results come back.Diphtheria antitoxin is given as a shot into a muscle or through an IV (intravenous line). The infection is then treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You may need to stay in the hospital while getting the antitoxin. Other treatments may include:Fluids by IV Oxygen Bed rest Heart monitoring Insertion of a breathing tube Correction of airway blockagesPeople without symptoms who carry diphtheria should be treated with antibiotics. Outlook (Prognosis) Diphtheria may be mild or severe. Some people do not have symptoms. In others, the disease can slowly get worse. Recovery from the illness is slow.People may die, especially when the disease affects the heart. Possible Complications The most common complication is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). The nervous system is also frequently and severely affected, which may result in temporary paralysis.MyocarditisMyocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The condition is called pediatric myocarditis when it occurs in children.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ParalysisMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The diphtheria toxin can also damage the kidneys.There can also be an allergic response to the antitoxin. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you have come in contact with a person who has diphtheria.Diphtheria is a rare disease. It is also a reportable disease, and any cases are often publicized in the media. This helps you to know if diphtheria is present in your area.Reportable diseaseReportable diseases are diseases considered to be of great public health importance. In the United States, local, state, and national agencies (for ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention Routine childhood immunizations and adult boosters prevent the disease.Anyone who has come into contact with an infected person should get an immunization or booster shot against diphtheria, if they have not already received it. Protection from the vaccine lasts only 10 years. So it is important for adults to get a booster vaccine every 10 years. The booster is called tetanus-diphtheria (Td). (The shot also has vaccine medicine for an infection called tetanus.)ImmunizationAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TdAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Td vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www. c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TetanusTetanus is an infection of the nervous system with a type of bacteria that is potentially deadly, called Clostridium tetani (C tetani).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you have been in close contact with a person who has diphtheria, contact your provider right away. Ask whether you need antibiotics to prevent getting diphtheria.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Diphtheria. www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about/index.html. Updated September 9, 2022. Accessed March 14, 2024.Saleeb PG. Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 204.Stechenberg BW. Diphtheria. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 90.AllVideoImagesTogAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Acute(Special Topic)Respiratory(Special Topic)Asymptomatic(Special Topic)Rashes(Symptoms)Necrosis(Special Topic)Breathing difficulty(Symptoms)Pericarditis(Condition)Myocarditis(Condition)Muscle function loss(Symptoms)Incidence(Special Topic)Immunizations - InDepth(In-Depth)Heart failure - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
DiphtheriaRespiratory diphtheria; Pharyngeal diphtheria; Diphtheric cardiomyopathy; Diphtheric polyneuropathyDiphtheria is an acute infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.AcuteAcute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The bacteria that cause diphtheria spread through respiratory droplets (such as from a cough or sneeze) of an infected person or someone who carries the bacteria but has no symptoms.The bacteria most commonly infect your nose and throat. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can block your airways. In some cases, diphtheria infects your skin first and causes skin lesions.Skin lesionsRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Once you are infected, the bacteria make dangerous substances called toxins. The toxins spread through your bloodstream to other organs, such as the heart and brain, and cause damage.Because of widespread vaccination (immunization) of children, diphtheria is now rare in many parts of the world. Risk factors for diphtheria include crowded environments, poor hygiene, and lack of immunization. Symptoms Symptoms usually occur 2 to 5 days after the bacteria enter your body: Fever and chills Sore throat, hoarseness HoarsenessHoarseness refers to difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or quality ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Painful swallowing Croup-like (barking) cough Drooling (suggests airway blockage is about to occur) DroolingDrooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bluish coloration of the skin Bluish coloration of the skinA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bloody, watery drainage from nose Breathing problems, including difficulty breathing, fast breathing, high-pitched breathing sound (stridor) StridorStridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound. It is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx). It is most often hea...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skin sores (usually seen in tropical areas) Sometimes there are no symptoms. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look inside your mouth. This may reveal a gray to black covering (pseudomembrane) in the throat, enlarged lymph glands, and swelling of the neck or vocal cords.Enlarged lymph glandsLymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests used may include:Gram stain or throat culture to identify the diphtheria bacteria Gram stainA Gram stain is a test used to identify bacteria. It is one of the most common ways to quickly diagnose bacterial infection in the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Throat cultureA throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Toxin assay (to detect the presence of the toxin made by the bacteria) Electrocardiogram (ECG) ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment If your provider thinks you have diphtheria, treatment will likely be started right away, even before test results come back.Diphtheria antitoxin is given as a shot into a muscle or through an IV (intravenous line). The infection is then treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You may need to stay in the hospital while getting the antitoxin. Other treatments may include:Fluids by IV Oxygen Bed rest Heart monitoring Insertion of a breathing tube Correction of airway blockagesPeople without symptoms who carry diphtheria should be treated with antibiotics. Outlook (Prognosis) Diphtheria may be mild or severe. Some people do not have symptoms. In others, the disease can slowly get worse. Recovery from the illness is slow.People may die, especially when the disease affects the heart. Possible Complications The most common complication is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). The nervous system is also frequently and severely affected, which may result in temporary paralysis.MyocarditisMyocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The condition is called pediatric myocarditis when it occurs in children.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ParalysisMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The diphtheria toxin can also damage the kidneys.There can also be an allergic response to the antitoxin. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you have come in contact with a person who has diphtheria.Diphtheria is a rare disease. It is also a reportable disease, and any cases are often publicized in the media. This helps you to know if diphtheria is present in your area.Reportable diseaseReportable diseases are diseases considered to be of great public health importance. In the United States, local, state, and national agencies (for ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention Routine childhood immunizations and adult boosters prevent the disease.Anyone who has come into contact with an infected person should get an immunization or booster shot against diphtheria, if they have not already received it. Protection from the vaccine lasts only 10 years. So it is important for adults to get a booster vaccine every 10 years. The booster is called tetanus-diphtheria (Td). (The shot also has vaccine medicine for an infection called tetanus.)ImmunizationAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TdAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Td vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www. c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TetanusTetanus is an infection of the nervous system with a type of bacteria that is potentially deadly, called Clostridium tetani (C tetani).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If you have been in close contact with a person who has diphtheria, contact your provider right away. Ask whether you need antibiotics to prevent getting diphtheria.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Diphtheria. www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about/index.html. Updated September 9, 2022. Accessed March 14, 2024.Saleeb PG. Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 204.Stechenberg BW. Diphtheria. In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 90.