Diphtheria history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]
Overview
History and Symptoms
Respiratory diphtheria presents with a wide range of systemic and respiratory symptoms, which include:[1]
Respiratory Symptoms
- Sore throat: most common presenting symptom
- Cough
- Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
- Hoarseness of voice
- Nasal obstruction
- Coughing of blood (hemoptysis)
Systemic Sympmtoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- Palpitations
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Neck swelling due to cervical adenopathy
Cutaneous (Skin) Diphtheria
In the United States, cutaneous diphtheria has been most often associated with homeless persons. Skin infections are quite common in the tropics and are probably responsible for the high levels of natural immunity found in these populations. Skin infections may be manifested by a scaling rash or by ulcers with clearly demarcated edges and membrane, but any chronic skin lesion may harbor C. diphtheriae along with other organisms. Generally, the organisms isolated from recent cases in the United States were nontoxigenic. The severity of the skin disease with toxigenic strains appears to be less than in other forms of infection with toxigenic strains. Skin diseases associated with nontoxigenic strains are no longer reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System in the United States. Other sites of involvement include the mucous membranes of the conjunctiva and vulvovaginal area, as well as the external auditory canal.
References