Diphtheria
Bacterial disease
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Why this is trending
Interest in “Diphtheria” spiked on Wikipedia on 2026-06-03.
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Key Takeaways
- Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae .
- Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and usually start two to five days after exposure.
- In severe cases, a grey or white patch develops in the throat called a pseudomembrane.
- Starting with a barking cough, similar to that observed in croup, the neck may also swell, in part due to the enlargement of the facial lymph nodes.
- Diphtheria can also involve the skin, eyes, or genitals, and can cause complications, including myocarditis (which in itself can result in an abnormal heart rate), inflammation of nerves (which can result in paralysis), kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low levels of platelets.
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Source summary
WikipediaDiphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Most infections are asymptomatic or have a mild clinical course, but in some outbreaks, the mortality rate approaches 10%.
Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and usually start two to five days after exposure. Symptoms often develop gradually, beginning with a sore throat and fever. In severe cases, a grey or white patch develops in the throat called a pseudomembrane. This tough, leathery membrane slowly blocks the airway. Starting with a barking cough, similar to that observed in croup, the neck may also swell, in part due to the enlargement of the facial lymph nodes. The pseudomembrane can grow to cover a wide area of the throat, leading to strangulation and death.
Diphtheria can also involve the skin, eyes, or genitals, and can cause complications, including myocarditis (which in itself can result in an abnormal heart rate), inflammation of nerves (which can result in paralysis), kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low levels of platelets.
Content sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0
