Diphtheria
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Diphtheria Diagnosis & Tests
Physical examination may reveal the characteristic gray membrane (pseudomembrane) in the throat, enlarged lymph glands, and swelling of the neck or larynx. If diphtheria is suspected, treatment should be started immediately, even before the results of bacterial tests are available.
Tests used may include:
- Gram stain of membrane or throat culture to identify Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
- In individuals with myocarditis, results of an electrocardiogram (ECG) are often abnormal.
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