Diphtheria

Respiratory diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the United States and other developed countries thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease. However, many countries with limited health care or vaccination options still experience high rates of diphtheria.
Antibiotics and antitoxin treatment are crucial for managing this bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Symptoms

Painful swallowing

or Pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat

common

Fever

  • Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F), Less than 38°C (100.4°F)

common

Red tonsils

common

Enlarged or swollen lymph nodes

  • Beneath jaw or at neck

or Mass or swelling at the neck

  • At the center

common

Fatigue

common

Swollen/enlarged tonsils

common

Swallowing difficulties

common

Light spots on tonsils

Strained voice

Noise while breathing

or Whistling breathing

Headache

Difficulty breathing

or Abnormally rapid breathing

Poor appetite

Runny nose

  • Discharging pus

Cough with mucus or without mucus

  • Barking cough

Risk factors

Travel from or to an endemic area of diphtheria

No DTaP vaccine

Treatment
Diphtheria treatment begins immediately — sometimes even before the lab test results are confirmed. Your healthcare provider will prescribe diphtheria antitoxin to stop damage to your organs. They’ll also prescribe antibiotics, typically penicillin or erythromycin, to fight infection. People with diphtheria are kept in isolation to prevent others from becoming infected. An infected person is no longer contagious around 48 hours after taking antibiotics. When treatment ends, tests will be run again to make sure the bacteria are gone. Once the bacteria are gone, you will get a vaccine to prevent future infections.
Recommended specialist

If you have Diphtheria, then a visit to a pediatric infectious disease specialist is highly recommended.

Contact a

Pediatric infectious disease specialist

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