What are the treatments for diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can cause organ damage and breathing problems. This disease is often treatable, but also preventable with a vaccine. read more

Getting treatment quickly for diphtheria is important. Doctors usually decide if a person has diphtheria by looking for common signs and symptoms. They can use a swab from the back of the throat and test it for the bacteria that cause diphtheria. read more

Treatment. Diphtheria is a serious illness. Doctors treat it immediately and aggressively with these medications: An antitoxin. If doctors suspect diphtheria, the infected child or adult receives an antitoxin. The antitoxin, injected into a vein or muscle, neutralizes the diphtheria toxin already circulating in the body. read more

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that usually produce exotoxins that damage human tissue. The initial symptoms of diphtheria are flu-like but worsen to include fever, swallowing problems, hoarseness, enlarged lymph nodes, coughing, and shortness of breath; some patients may have skin involvement, producing skin ulcers. read more