Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the infectious and dangerous bacteria Corynebacterium Diphtheriae.
Diphtheria can cause death from obstructive upper airway obstruction or its pathogenic toxins, leading to complications of myocarditis, paralysis of the cranial and peripheral nerves, arthritis, osteomyelitis, renal failure, respiratory failure, and circulatory failure. Some of the risk factors for epidemic transmission usually occur in populated populations. One house with the number of people more than five family members was already fairly solid. Several risk factors accelerate transmission and occurrence of diphtheria outbreak such as dense populations, poor health and hygiene.
Transmission can occur from an infected person or carrier (carriers that are asymptomatic) and spread it through droplets (airway fluids, eg from coughing / sneezing), snot, saliva, and sometimes also from vomit.
The incubation period is about 2-5 days, sometimes up to 10 days.
Symptoms are also not seen in the early days of transmission. Because of that diphtheria can only be seen when the mouth of the sufferer is opened, there is a dirty white membrane in the patient's throat.