What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
The following are the most common symptoms of diphtheria. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: • respiratory diphtheria When a person is infected with diphtheria, the bacterium usually multiplies in the throat, leading to the respiratory version of diphtheria. A membrane may form over the throat and tonsils, causing a sore throat. Other common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria may include: • breathing difficulty • husky voice • enlarged lymph glands • increased heart rate • stridor (a shrill breathing sound heard on inspiration) • nasal drainage • swelling of the palate (roof of the mouth) • sore throat • low-grade fever • malaise Persons may die from asphyxiation when the membrane obstructs breathing. Other complications of respiratory diphtheria are caused by the diphtheria toxin released in the blood, leading to heart failure. • skin (cutaneous) diphtheria With this type of diphtheria, the symptoms are usually milder and may include ye
