Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that can damage the heart, kidneys and nerves. It classically causes a sore throat, fever and swollen neck glands, with a characteristic grey membrane forming over the throat and tonsils that can obstruct breathing. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with infected skin sores and was once a leading cause of childhood death before widespread vaccination with the diphtheria toxoid became routine. Treatment requires diphtheria antitoxin along with antibiotics, and the disease remains a risk in under-vaccinated populations.