Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, transmitted from person to person through physical and respiratory contact. It forms yellowish plaques frequently on the tonsils, larynx and nose. In more severe cases, severe neck swelling may occur, with enlarged lymph nodes. This can cause difficulty in breathing or a complete blockage of breathing.
After the emergence of the triple bacterial vaccine and the pentavalent vaccine, the number of diphtheria cases became more rare.
