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Diphtheria
A potentially fatal, contagious disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages. Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsils and throat. Routine vaccinations prevent diphtheria.
Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this
39 year experience in Internal Medicine
Is a type of:
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Baby 0-2 | Very common | ||||
Preteen 6-13 | Very common | ||||
Teenager 14-18 | Very common | ||||
Young adult 19-40 | Very common | ||||
Middle-aged adult 41-60 | Very common |
Body locations
Symptoms
Medications
Other treatments
Tests
Vaccinations
Related questions
A 33-year old asked:
What is diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old asked:
What causes diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old asked:
How is diphtheria transmitted?
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A 47-year old asked:
What are the tests for diphtheria?
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A 42-year old asked:
What are the effects of diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old asked:
Can you get diphtheria more than once?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Where is diphtheria most commonly found?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
My child has diphtheria, can I also catch it?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
How common is diphtheria in the united states?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old asked:
What are possible complications from diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
I am already ill, will diphtheria cause complications?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
Why are kids under 5 and adults over 60 at risk for diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
Does diphtheria have a high mortality rate?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
Do people with diphtheria have a lot of pain?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
Who developed the first antitoxin for diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
Why did my skin turn blue, when I contracted diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
What's tetanus & diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
Do doctors see a lot of patients with diphtheria?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
I was wondering what do tetanus and diphtheria have in common?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old asked:
My son has diphtheria, how long until he can return to school?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old asked:
I was diagnosed with diphtheria, how long before I am no longer contagious?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old asked:
I don't believe in immunizations. Am I or my child more likely to contract diphtheria?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
Is diphtheria a virus or bacteria? Please advise!
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
How long does diphtheria vaccination last for?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
What are the effects of diphtheria have on the mitral valve?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Is a dt booster the same as diphtheria booster?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
Is cutaneous diphtheria as dangerous as respiratory diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
So today I got my diphtheria and tetanus shot. Will I be able to sleep?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
I'm allergic to penicillin, will other antibiotics work against diphtheria?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
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