Diptheria About: It is a highly contagious and potentially fa | UPSC Science and Technology

Diptheria

About: It is a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection that can affect the nose and throat, sometimes the skin. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria.

Symptoms: sore throat, headache, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing and swallowing and swollen glands in the neck.

Curable: the disease is not only treatable but also preventable with a vaccine. The diphtheria vaccine is usually combined with vaccines for tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).