Living with Diphtheria
A bacterial infection that mostly affects the mouth, throat, and nose and can affect the heart and nerves.
Understanding Diphtheria
It usually involves the mouth, throat, and nasal cavity. People develop membranes in the affected areas and have signs of an upper respiratory infection. The diphtheria toxin may cause inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), nerve inflammation (polyneuritis), and other effects throughout the body.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a detailed symptom list. Based on its summary, features include:
- Signs of an upper respiratory infection
- Membranes in the mouth, throat, or nose
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Nerve inflammation (polyneuritis)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The diphtheria toxin can cause effects throughout the body.
Also known as: corynebacterium infection
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Diphtheria.
Explore research for Diphtheria
Explore actively recruiting Diphtheria studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Diphtheria with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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