Reviewed by Dr. Clement J. Cheng
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and can occur as a toxic or nontoxic strain. It spreads through close contact with a person infected with diphtheria. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, the bacteria are carried in their droplets; if these droplets enter the nose or throat of another person, the infection could spread. It is extremely rare in the United States.
Diphtheria may cause death in some people. Even with modern medical treatment, one in 10 people affected by the disease die of it. Survivors of diphtheria may have permanent damage to their hearts or nervous systems. If the patient lives in a tropical environment, the skin may be affected.
In the early 20th century, diphtheria infected about 200,000 people annually, and killed between 5 and 10 percent of them. Now, due to vaccination, diphtheria is a rare disease. When it occurs, it is mainly seen in adults who have not received vaccination.
