Diphtheria

Signs and Symptoms

It usually takes two to five days for symptoms to appear after someone has been exposed to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Some people may become infected and have no symptoms.

Respiratory diphtheria

The most common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria include:

• Mild fever
• Thick coating in the nose or throat (pseudomembrane) that can make it hard to breathe and swallow
• Sore throat
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Weakness

Diphtheria skin infection

Skin infections can have any number of bacteria in them, including Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Symptoms of diphtheria skin infections can include:

• Open sore or ulcer with a clear edge
• Pain
• Rash with scales or peeling skin
• Redness
• Swelling 

Complications and When to Seek Help

Seek medical care immediately if you or your child has symptoms and has been exposed to someone with diphtheria.

Airway blockage

Airway blockage is a deadly complication from respiratory diphtheria. If the toxin gets into the blood stream, it can kill the tissue of other organs and cause:

• Kidney failure
• Myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle)
• Polyneuropathy (nerve damage)

Even with treatment, about one in 10 people with respiratory diphtheria will die. Without treatment, up to half of people die from the disease.

Slow-healing skin infection

Although the wound is slow healing, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in complications, severe disease or death.

Data and Reports

Diphtheria is a well-controlled disease. There has not been a case of diphtheria in NC for several decades. The last case of respiratory diphtheria in the United States was in 1997.

More information: Diphtheria trends (CDC)