Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that usually affects the tonsils, throat, nose or skin.
Diphtheria is most common in low socioeconomic groups where people live in crowded conditions. Unionized children under 15 years of age are likely to contract diphtheria. The disease is often found among adults whose immunization was neglected, and is most severe in unimmunized or inadequately immunized individuals. Diphtheria is transmitted to others through close contact with discharge from an infected person's nose, throat, skin, eyes and lesions. There are two types of diphtheria.