Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the
toxin-producing bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It usually
affects the respiratory tract (primarily the larynx, tonsils and
throat). It may also affect the skin, and the toxin produced by
this bacteria can damage the nerves and heart. The disease is now
rare in many parts of the world because of widespread immunization.
Review Date: 02/11/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Neil K.
Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
University of Washington School of Medicine.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
