Disease or Syndrome
diphtheria
diph·the·ri·a [ dif-theer-ee-uh, dip- ]
Subclass of:
Corynebacterium Infections
Etymology:
Greek diphthera = skin or leather + -ia = condition
First used as diphtheritis by the French in the 19th century. Descriptive of the thick membrane formed in the throat in this disease.
First used as diphtheritis by the French in the 19th century. Descriptive of the thick membrane formed in the throat in this disease.
Definitions related to diphtheria:
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A Gram-positive bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It usually involves the oral cavity, pharynx, and nasal cavity. Patients develop pseudomembranes in the affected areas and manifest signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. The diphtheria toxin may cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic effects.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A toxicoinfection that is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae; it predominantly involves the upper respiratory tract, where pseudomembranes are characteristic. Cutaneous diphtheria, toxic myocardiopathy, and toxic neuropathy also can occur.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by coming in contact with an object, such as a toy, that has bacteria on it. Diphtheria usually affects the nose and throat. Symptoms include Sore throat; Swollen glands in the neck; Fever; Weakness. Your doctor will diagnose it based on your signs and symptoms and a lab test. Getting treatment for diphtheria quickly is important. If your doctor suspects that you have it, you'll start treatment before the lab tests come back. Treatment is with antibiotics. The diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine can prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Children need another dose, or booster, at about age 12. Then, as adults, they should get a booster every 10 years. Diphtheria is very rare in the United States because of the vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae; it is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection; diphtheria toxin, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Diphtheria is an acute pharyngeal or cutaneous infection caused mainly by toxigenic strains of the gram-positive bacillusCorynebacterium diphtheriae and rarely by other, less common Corynebacterium species. Symptoms are either nonspecific skin infections or pseudomembranous pharyngitis followed by myocardial and neural tissue damage...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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C diphtheria is responsible for both endemic and epidemic diseases, and it was first described in the 5th century BC by Hippocrates. Diphtheria manifests as either an upper respiratory tract or cutaneous infection and is caused by the aerobic gram-positive bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheria.WebMD, 2019
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Diphtheria (dif-THEER-e-uh) is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the United States and other developed countries, thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Respiratory diphtheria is an upper-respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent pseudomembrane that can cover the tonsils and the mucosa of the pharynx, larynx, and nose. Occasionally, the mucosa of the eyes, ears, or genitals may also be affected. It is caused by exotoxin-producing strains of...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Diphtheria, acute infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae and characterized by a primary lesion, usually in the upper respiratory tract, and more generalized symptoms resulting from the spread of the bacterial toxin throughout the body. Diphtheria was a serious...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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