The Seven Most Frequently Asked Questions about Diphtheria (JA2018-06)

Diphtheria is an acute disease of bacterial origin that can affect the nasopharynx and may lead to obstruction of the airways and potentially, death. The most frequent symptoms are sore throat, fever (generally mild, rarely exceeding 38.5°C), difficulty when swallowing and breathing. The severity of the signs and symptoms is usually proportional to the extent of the local disorder since it is related to production of the toxin in the diphtheria membrane. When a sufficient amount of the toxin is absorbed, the patient may be pale, have a rapid pulse, and present extreme weakness. Symptoms appear in 2 to 5 days (ranging from 1 to 10) after exposure to the agent.