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  In some people, infection with diphtheria-causing bacteria causes only a mild illness — or no obvious signs and symptoms at all. Infected people who stay unaware of their illness are known as carriers of diphtheria. They're called carriers because they can spread the infection without being sick themselves. 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. Although it's more common in tropical climates, diphtheria on the skin also occurs in the United States. It may happen especially among people with poor hygiene who live in crowded conditions.
diphtheria signs symptoms begin 2 5 days person infected  signs symptoms may include:  thick  gray membrane covering throat tonsils sore throat hoarseness swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) neck difficulty breathing rapid breathing nasal discharge fever chills tiredness  people  infection diphtheria-causing bacteria causes only mild illness — obvious signs symptoms all  infected people who stay unaware illness known carriers diphtheria  they're called carriers can spread infection being sick themselves  skin (cutaneous) diphtheria second type diphtheria can affect skin  causing pain  redness swelling similar bacterial skin infections  ulcers covered gray membrane may sign skin diphtheria  it's common tropical climates  diphtheria skin occurs united states  may happen especially people poor hygiene who live crowded conditions
diphtheria