Diphtheria is re-emerging in some areas of the world where immunization practices are lax. Routine vaccination of both children and adults is essential to control diphtheria. Cause Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a bacterium. Diphtheria is common in many parts of the world. Diphtheria bacteria live in the mouth, nose, throat, or skin of infected persons.
Diphtheria spreads from person to person very easily.
People get diphtheria by breathing in diphtheria bacteria after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. People also get diphtheria from close contact with discharges from an infected person's mouth, nose, throat, or skin. Symptoms Usually, diphtheria develops in the throat. Early symptoms are a sore throat and mild fever. A membrane that forms over the throat and tonsils can make it hard to swallow.