Diphtheria is an acute disease caused by a specific bacterium
Corynebacterium diphtheriae. In 1883, Klebs first discovered this bacterium in
diphtheritic membranes. Diphtheria can spread from one person to another person by
direct contact or it may be spread by air. Different symptoms occur during infection
and symptoms appear after 7 days of infection. Symptoms of the disease are changed
from mild to severe. When the diphtheria disease occurs then a thick covering is
formed in the throat. This covering causes difficulty during breathing and it can block
the airway. PCR, ICS, and Elek test are used for the diagnosis of the toxin. Mostly
children and adult lives are threatening by diphtheria. Vaccines are available for
diphtheria disease. 5% to 10% of deaths occur in the affected person. Antibiotics and
antitoxin are also available for the treatment of the disease.
Keywords: Antitoxin, Antibiotics, Diphtheria, ICS, Pseudo membrane.
