Signs and Symptoms:In its
early stages, diphtheria can be mistaken for a bad sore throat. A
low-grade fever and
swollen neck glands are the other early symptoms. The toxin, or poison,
caused by the bacteria can lead to a thick coating in the nose, throat, or
airway. This coating is usually fuzzy gray or black and can cause
breathing problems and difficulty in swallowing.
In more advanced stages, the patient may have difficulty breathing or
swallowing, complain of double vision, have slurred speech, or even show
signs of going into shock (pale, cold skin; rapid heartbeat; sweating; and
an anxious appearance).
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