Get Virtual Care
  • Primary Care
  • Urgent Care
  • FAQs
  • Support Center
For Businesses
  • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
  • For DMEs and Pharmacies
  • For Health Plans
  • For Providers
About Us
  • Who We Are
  • Why HealthTap
  • Our Standards
  • Contact
Log in
Book a video appointment
Book now
  • Get Virtual Care

    • Primary Care
    • Urgent Care
    • FAQs
    • Support Center
  • For Businesses

    • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
    • For DMEs and Pharmacies
    • For Health Plans
    • For Providers
  • About Us

    • Who We Are
    • Why HealthTap
    • Our Standards
    • Contact
Log in to HealthTap
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Overview
Symptoms
Medications
Other treatments
Tests
Vaccinations
Related questions
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Conditions
Bacterial infections
Diphtheria

Diphtheria

Share

Link copied

A potentially fatal, contagious disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages. Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsils and throat. Routine vaccinations prevent diphtheria.

Dr. Geoffreysss Rutledgeee reviewed this

41 years experience

Is a type of:

Bacterial infections

How long it usually lasts:

Medium-term (lasts weeks to months)

How common it is:

Very rare
Baby
0-2
Very common
Toddler
3-5
Very common
Preteen
6-13
Very common
Teenager
14-18
Very common
Young adult
19-40
Very common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Very common
Senior
60+
Very common

Body locations

Face

Symptoms

Mild fever
Fever, mild (99.0 F - 100.9 F)
Cough
Fever
Weakness
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Diphtheria
Procaine penicillin
3
1 review
Prophylactic antibiotics
Antibiotic

Other treatments

Hospitalization

Tests

Aerobic and anaerobic culture
Diphtheria antitoxoid antibody
Wound or tissue culture

Vaccinations

Diphtheria tetanus toxoid
Tdap vaccine
DTP/hib/hepatitis B vaccine
Dtap/hib/poliovirus vaccine
Dtap
Load more

Related questions

A 20-year old asked:

What causes diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How serious is diphtheria?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

How can you avoid diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 24-year old asked:

How is diphtheria transmitted?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

How should I treat diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

What symptoms suggest diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

What are the tests for diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old asked:

What are the symptoms of diphtheria

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Is there a treatment for diphtheria?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

What kind of condition is diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

Can you get diphtheria more than once?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 20-year old asked:

How do I know if someone has diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old asked:

My child has diphtheria, can I also catch it?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 20-year old asked:

What are possible complications from diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: Diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Are diphtheria outbreaks common in the United States?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

I am already ill, will diphtheria cause complications?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

I have diphtheria, how long until I can return to work?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Why did my skin turn blue, when I contracted diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

Why are kids under 5 and adults over 60 at risk for diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How long does it take to show signs of diphtheria after being exposed?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 49-year old asked:

What to do if I have diphtheria but I don't want to see a doctor. what can I do to get rid of it?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Does diphtheria have a high mortality rate?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

Do people with diphtheria have a lot of pain?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How long is a person with diphtheria contagious?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Who developed the first antitoxin for diphtheria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Are diphtheria outbreaks common in Developed Countries?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Why is diphtheria mortality higher in children and adults over 40?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 26-year old asked:

Will diphtheria make me infertile?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

My son has diphtheria, how long until he can return to school?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited

For Businesses

Direct Primary Care for OrganizationsFor DMEs and PharmaciesFor Health PlansFor Providers

Company

About UsSupport CenterContact Us

Health Content

Health TopicsDoctor Q&A by Specialty

Join Us

For DoctorsJobs
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.