10 Diphtheria Symptoms
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
Symptom #4: Arrhythmia and Paralysis
Arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, occurs when the electrical system of the heart malfunctions, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, irregularly, or not at all. In diphtheria, abnormal cardiac rhythms can occur several weeks after the throat symptoms disappear and can result in heart failure and death.
Diphtheria can also cause paralysis in the throat, neck, eyes, and respiratory muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Patients with these severe diphtheria symptoms should be admitted to an intensive care unit and given the diphtheria antitoxin.
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