Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium Diphtheriae. It lives in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person and can be spread to others by coughing or sneezing. A child with diphtheria can infect others for 2 to 4 weeks. The incubation period of diphtheria is 2–5 days (range, 1–10 days). Depending on the site of disease Diphtheria is of following type;

·         Anterior Nasal Diphtheria

·         Pharyngeal and Tonsillar Diphtheria

·         Laryngeal Diphtheria

·         Cutaneous (Skin) Diphtheria

Diphtheria can initially cause a sore throat, fever and chills. But if it is not properly diagnosed and treated it produces a toxin (poison) that can cause serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis. About 1 person out of 10 who get diphtheria dies from it.