Exemplified by a low fever, sore, swollen throat and sticky mucous on the tonsils, diphtheria eventually leads to loss of sensation due to the degeneration of motor function. The disease is spread from person to person by direct contact or air borne particles.
At the beginning of the 20th century, diphtheria was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people each year. The disease is no longer a real risk in most developed nations as children are routinely vaccinated, but in areas of the developing world, the risk has not been eradicated.
How serious: abnormal cardiac rhythms can sometimes lead to heart failure, even weeks after the disease has gone. Paralysis can occur in respiratory muscles, throat, neck or eyes and up to 50 percent of all sufferers will die from the disease.
How likely: outbreaks are rare, but they do happen still, even in developed countries.
How to get it: most cases of the disease arise in those who have not been vaccinated. It is passed through the air when people sneeze or cough or through saliva on unwashed crockery.
Where it is found: diphtheria is mainly found in developing nations but also sometimes reoccurs in developed countries.
Symptoms: disease onset is gradual and symptoms include fatigue, fever, a sore throat and sometimes nausea and vomiting, especially in children. Low blood pressure and a fast pulse may also occur.
How to avoid it: the best way to prevent the onset of diphtheria is to be vaccinated against it. Adults can be given booster injections, and this is especially advisable when traveling to countries that are at risk.
How to treat it: if the lymph nodes swell then immediate medical attention should be sought. A tracheotomy may be required in such circumstances and antibiotics are often given to treat the disease.
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