Diphtheria

Diphtheria  is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium Diphtheriae. Signs and symptoms usually start 2 – 5 days after exposure and range from mild to severe. Symptoms often come on gradually, beginning with a sore throat and fever. In severe cases, the bacteria produces a poison (toxin) that causes a thick grey or white patch at the back of throat. This can block the airway making it hard to b reathe or swallow and also create a barking cough. The neck may swell in part due to enlarged lymph nodes. The poison may also get into the blood stream causing  complications that may include inflammation and damage of the heart muscle, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low blood platelets. The damaged heart muscles may result in an abnormal heart rate and inflammation of the nerves may result in paralysis.
Source: WHO Feature Stories - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: diphtheria [subject], corynebacterium diphtheria, Q & A [doctype] Source Type: news