What should you know about diphtheria in throat?

The bacteria can infect the nose or throat and release a toxin. A firm grey or white membrane may develop over the throat or tonsils; trying to remove it can cause bleeding. A sore throat, fever, weakness, swollen neck glands, hoarse voice, or difficulty swallowing may occur. A sore throat has many possible causes, so it does not by itself show that someone has diphtheria.

Because the membrane can narrow the airway and the toxin can affect other organs, suspected diphtheria is treated as an urgent infectious illness. Close contacts may need assessment even when they feel well.

Contact a doctor or urgent medical service promptly and mention any exposure, vaccination history, and when symptoms began. Avoid close contact, sharing utensils, and preparing food for others until a clinician gives advice. Do not scrape the coating from the throat. Clinicians may arrange isolation, a swab, antibiotics, and treatment that neutralises toxin when indicated; see Antibiotic Treatment for general information.

Seek emergency help for noisy or difficult breathing, bluish lips, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing neck swelling, confusion, fainting, or severe weakness. These signs can indicate airway obstruction or toxin-related illness. Keep the person sitting upright while waiting and follow the emergency service's instructions.

Ask which specimen will be tested, whether isolation is needed, how household contacts should be managed, and whether vaccination needs updating. You can also ask when it is safe to return to work, school, or childcare.