Magellan Selected as One of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies. Magellan Health was recently selected as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, a ranking of the worldâs most respected and reputable companies, as ranked by peers in its respective industry.
Diphtheria (from Greek: Î´Î¹ÏÎ¸Î­ÏÎ± diphthera, meaning leather) is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. They usually start two to five days after exposure.Symptoms often come on fairly gradually beginning with a sore throat and fever.iphtheria (from Greek: Î´Î¹ÏÎ¸Î­ÏÎ± diphthera, meaning leather) is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe.
Back to Top Causes. Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets (such as from a cough or sneeze) of an infected person or someone who carries the bacteria but has no symptoms. The bacteria most commonly infects your nose and throat. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can block your airways. In some cases, diphtheria infects your skin first and causes skin lesions. Once infected, the bacteria make dangerous substances called toxins. The toxins spread through your bloodstream to other organs, such as the heart and brain, and cause damage. Because of widespread immunization (vaccination) of children, diphtheria is now rare in many parts of the world.