Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diphtheria history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Respiratory diphtheria presents with a wide range of systemic and respiratory symptoms.[1]
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
Respiratory diphtheria presents with a wide range of systemic and respiratory symptoms, including:[1]
Respiratory Symptoms
- Sore throat (most common presenting symptom)
- Cough
- Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
- Hoarseness of voice
- Nasal obstruction
- Coughing of blood (hemoptysis)
Systemic Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- Palpitations
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Neck swelling due to cervical adenopathy
Cutaneous (Skin) Diphtheria
Cutaneous diphtheria usually presents with ulcers or pustular lesions, which can involve different parts of the body. Lesions may be covered by a grayish-white pseudomembrane, similar to tonsillar exudates of respiratory diphtheria.[3]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dobie RA, Tobey DN (1979). “Clinical features of diphtheria in the respiratory tract”. JAMA. 242 (20): 2197–201. PMID 490806.
- ↑ Center for Disease Control and Prevention http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp​ Accessed on Oct. 7, 2016.
- ↑ Rappold LC, Vogelgsang L, Klein S, Bode K, Enk AH, Haenssle HA (2016). “Primary cutaneous diphtheria: management, diagnostic workup, and treatment as exemplified by a rare case report”. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 14 (7): 734–6. doi:10.1111/ddg.12722. PMID 27373251.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]