Diphtheria Symptoms and Complications

Key points

  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae most commonly infect the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat) and skin.
  • If the bacteria make diphtheria toxin, the resulting infection is known as diphtheria.
  • Symptoms depend on the affected part of the body.
  • Respiratory diphtheria is a very serious condition.
  • Diphtheria skin infections rarely cause severe issues.
Doctor examining adult male patient

Symptoms

It usually takes 2 to 5 days for symptoms to appear after someone has been exposed to C. diphtheriae. Some people may become infected and have no symptoms.

Child with cervical swelling, referred to as bull neck, which is a symptom of diphtheria.
A child with a swollen neck due to diphtheria infection.

Respiratory diphtheria

The most common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria include:

  • Mild fever
  • Pseudomembrane in the nose or throat
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • Weakness

Diphtheria's hallmark feature: The pseudomembrane‎

Some C. diphtheriae make a toxin that kills healthy tissues in the respiratory system. A thick, gray coating of dead tissue can build up in the nose and throat. This coating, called a "pseudomembrane," can make it very hard to breathe and swallow.

Diphtheria skin infection

Skin infections can have any number of bacteria in them, including C. 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

Contact your healthcare provider‎

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

Respiratory diphtheria

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

Diphtheria skin infection

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

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Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD); Division of Bacterial Diseases