Medical Diagnosis : Diphtheria Description

DIPHTHERIA
Description

Symptom Checker

Symptoms

Fever	Neck - lymph glands swollen	Throat - sore
Throat – with gray membrane

Description

Diphtheria is an infection in the upper respiratory tract caused by a pathogenic bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Diphtheria has an incubation period of 2-10 days and is highly contagious.

Depending on the affected area, diphtheria is classified as:

- Respiratory diphtheria, affecting nose and throat, and

- Cutaneous diphtheria, which affects the skin.

Diagnosis

Diphtheria is a very rare disease in developed countries and symptoms may resemble other medical conditions.

Distinctive signs and symptoms, such as the grey membrane covering the throat, allow physicians to make a primary diagnose.

A sample of tissue taken from the inside of the throat (swab test) can confirm the diagnosis..

More information:

Diphtheria Treatment
Diphtheria Healthcare Centers