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 Prevention
Also called: Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the medical name for pink eye. It involves inflammation of the outer layer of the eye and inside of the eyelid. It can cause swelling, itching, burning, discharge, and redness. Causes include
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Allergies
- Substances that cause irritation
- Contact lens products, eye drops, or eye ointments
Pinkeye usually does not affect vision. Infectious pink eye can easily spread from one person to another. The infection will clear in most cases without medical care, but bacterial pinkeye needs treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment.
NIH: National Eye Institute