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Diphtheria serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.

Diphtheria signs and symptoms usually begin 2 to 5 days after a person becomes infected. Signs and symptoms may include:

A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils
A sore throat and hoarseness
Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Nasal discharge
Fever and chills
Tiredness

Skin (cutaneous) diphtheria
A second type of diphtheria can affect the skin, causing pain, redness and swelling similar to other bacterial skin infections. Ulcers covered by a gray membrane also may be a sign of skin diphtheria.