MamasHealth.com Home Infectious Information Adenovirus Anthrax Avian Flu Battle the Cold Black Fever Bronchitis Chicken Pox Cholera Colds and Cruises Cold Season Croup Cytomegalovirus Dengue Fever Diphtheria Ear Infection Ebola Epiglottitis Fight the Flu Flu Flu Vaccine Glandular Fever Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Laryngitis Leprosy Lice Lyme Disease Mad Cow Disease Malaria Measles Meningitis Mono Mumps Pink Eye Pinworms Pneumonia Polio Rabies Rheumataic Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever RSV Sarcoidosis SARS Shigella Enteritis Scarlet Fever Smallpox Sore Throat Stomach Flu Strep Throat Super Infections Swine Flu Tetanus Thrush Tonsilitis Tuberculosis Typhoid Fever Valley Fever West Nile Virus Whooping Cough Yellow Fever Links Email Mama Curious about Mama? Get the scoop by reading her blog. MamasHealthBlog.com Supporting a family on one income Food borne illnesses Parasitic infections	What is Diphtheria? Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, nose, and skin. It produces a thick membrane which covers the area of inflammation. Diphtheria is a serious illness. It can lead to severe breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. Diphtheria was a common childhood illness in the 1930's. It is rare in the United States and other developed nations but it still occurs in underdeveloped nations. The bacteria that causes diphtheria is called Corynebacterium diphtheria. How is Diphtheria Transmitted? Diphtheria is transmitted from person to person through airborne droplets. The diphtheria bacterium in the airborne droplets can enter the body through the nose and mouth. It can also enter through a break in the skin. You can protect yourself from diphtheria by taking a diphtheria vaccine. The vaccine can be given to children and adults. Most Americans receive diphtheria vaccinations as a child. Booster shots are recommended for adults every 10 years. Symptoms of Diphtheria Symptoms of diphtheria may vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are: sore throat difficulty breathing rapid heartbeat swollen lymph glands gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils Treatment Options for Diphtheria Diphtheria can be treated. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and other medicines.	Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust
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