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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria. Usually the bacteria multiply on or near the surface of the mucous membranes of the throat, where they cause inflammation. The inflammation may spread to the voice box (larynx) and may make your throat swell, narrowing your airway. Disease-causing strains of C. diphtheriae release a damaging substance (toxin), which can also involve the heart, brain and nerves.
The bacteria may cause a thick, gray covering to form in your nose, throat or airway — a marker of diphtheria that separates it from other respiratory illnesses. This covering is usually fuzzy gray or black and causes breathing difficulties and painful swallowing.
You contract diphtheria by inhaling airborne droplets exhaled by a person with the disease or by a carrier who has no symptoms. Diphtheria passes from an infected person to others through:
- Sneezing and coughing, especially in crowded living conditions (easily)
- Contaminated personal items, such as tissues or drinking glasses that have been used by an infected person (occasionally)
- Contaminated household items, such as towels or toys (rarely)
You can also come in contact with diphtheria-causing bacteria by touching an infected wound.
People who have been infected by the diphtheria bacteria and who haven't been treated can infect nonimmunized people for up to six weeks — even if they don't show any symptoms.
- Diphtheria. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs089/en/. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Diphtheria. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch172/ch172c.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Pegram PS. Epidemiology and clinical features of diphtheria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Bortolussi R, et al. Aerobic gram-positive bacilli. In: Cohen J, et al. Cohen & Powderly: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2004:2153.
- Daybell DK. Diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2009/09_0-6yrs_schedule_pr.pdf. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Vaccines and preventable diseases: Diphtheria vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/diphtheria/default.htm. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
