Diphtheria is a disease that causes symptoms and signs such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and swallowing problems. Erythromycin is the primary treatment for diphtheria. Vaccines that prevent diphtheria include the DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td.
Read more: Diphtheria Article
SLIDESHOW
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
-
Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
-
Swollen Lymph Nodes (Glands)
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly, but may include fever, night sweats, toothache, sore throat, or weight loss. Causes of swollen lymph nodes also vary, but may include cancer, the common cold, mono, chickenox, HIV, and herpes. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
-
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to a condition in which the heart loses the ability to function properly. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathies are just a few potential causes of congestive heart failure. Signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure may include fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, angina, and edema. Physical examination, patient history, blood tests, and imaging tests are used to diagnose congestive heart failure. Treatment of heart failure consists of lifestyle modification and taking medications to decrease fluid in the body and ease the strain on the heart. The prognosis of a patient with congestive heart failure depends on the stage of the heart failure and the overall condition of the individual.
-
Fever in Adults and Children
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
-
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI)
An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barr. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infections are based upon the cause. Generally, viral infections are treated symptomatically with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies.
-
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
-
Hoarseness
Hoarseness (abnormal deep, harsh, raspy voice) is caused by a variety of conditions in which the larynx (voice box and vocal cords) are irritated or injured. Causes can include vocal strain or other inflammation of the vocal cords by infection or toxins. Treatment of hoarseness depends on the cause.
-
Screening Tests and Immunization Guidelines For Men
Second Source article from Government
-
Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Chronic cough treatment is based on the cause, but may be soothed natural and home remedies.
-
Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a stroke. Dysphagia compromises nutrition and hydration and may lead to aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.
-
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Potential causes include injections around the bone, fractures that puncture the skin, recent surgeries, and bacterial infections that travel from other areas of the body, spreading through the blood to the bone. Symptoms include pain, fever, chills, stiffness, and nausea. Treatment involves antibiotics and pain medications. Surgery is sometimes necessary.
-
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough (pertussis) is highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. There are an estimated 300,000 plus deaths annually from whooping cough (pertussis). Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but can be prevented with immunization with the vaccine. First stage whooping cough symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, a mild cough with the cough gradually becoming more severe. After one to two weeks, the second stage of whooping cough begins.
-
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and can be caused by a variety of infections, conditions, and viruses. Symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Treatment mainly involves preventing heart failure with medication and diet, as well as monitoring for heart rhythm abnormalities.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- Whooping Cough Shot Works, But Many Moms-to-Be Skip It: CDC
- Serious Reactions to Vaccines Rarely Recur: Review
- Vaccination 101: Make Sure Kids Are Up to Date
- Rotavirus Vaccine Cut Kids' Hospitalization, Medical Costs
- Immunizations for High Flyin' Travelers
- Vaccinating Pregnant Moms Protects Babies From Whooping Cough
- U.S. Vaccine Guidelines for Flu, HPV Updated
- 2 Doses of HPV Vaccine Effective for Younger Teens
- Common Vaccine Safe for Mother, Fetus
- Tips for Avoiding Back-to-School Germs, Illnesses
- 6 Million Americans Drink Water Tainted With Toxic Chemicals: Report
- Whooping Cough Shot Safe for Pregnant Women
- Adults Don't Need Tetanus Shot Every Decade: Study
- Study Says Tdap Vaccine Safe During Pregnancy
- Despite Pockets of Resistance, Most U.S. Kids Getting Vaccinated
- Breast-Feeding May Pass Common Chemical to Baby, Study Shows
- Start of School Year Calls for Vaccine Check
- Survey: More Parents Accepting Vaccine Use
- Vaccine Opponents Often Cluster in Communities
- 'Kids' Diseases' Now Hitting Adults
- Most Kindergartners Are Getting Their Shots: CDC
- Whooping Cough Cases Rise as Parents Opt Out of Vaccine
- Too Few Adults Get Recommended Vaccines: CDC
- Whooping Cough Vaccine for Pregnant Women Among New Recommendations
- Childhood Vaccine Schedule Is Safe, Report Says
- Thigh Is Safer Vaccination Site Than Arm for Toddlers, Study Finds
- Hurricane Sandy's Health Woes Continue
- Whooping Cough Vaccine Less Effective Over Time: Study
- Pregnant Women: Get a Whooping Cough Vaccine
- More Kids Opting Out of School-Required Vaccinations: Study
- Whooping Cough Vaccine Protection Wanes Fast
- Are Kindergarten Kids Getting Their Vaccines?
- Vaccinations Belong on Parents' Back-to-School Checklists
- Shots Should Be on College Kids' Back-to-School List
- Is 'Improved' Vaccine Causing Whooping Cough Outbreaks?
- Study: More Pre-Teens Get Vaccines When Middle Schools Require Them
- All U.S. Adults Should Get Whooping Cough Shot: Panel
- Combo Vaccine May Raise Babies' Risk for Fever-Caused Seizures
- Too Few American Adults Getting Needed Vaccinations: CDC
- Environmental Chemicals May Thwart Kids' Vaccines
- U.S. Sets New Goals for a Healthier Nation
- Girls More Likely to Get HPV Vaccine When Doctors Recommend It
- Vaccines for Teens: Still Room for Improvement
- Report: Vaccines Generally Safe, Cause Few Health Problems
- Vaccination Rate for Kindergarten Kids Is Over 90%
- No Ill Effects When Kids Get Vaccines on Time
- Breastfeeding Cuts Fever Risk After Vaccines
- What Is the Alternative Vaccine Schedule?
- Seniors: Shots for Safety
- Colds: How to Care for Someone Without Getting Sick Yourself
- Immunization Recommendations for Emergency Responders: Hurricane
- Back-to-School Health Checkup
- Whooping Cough Vaccine for Adolescents
- Public Health - Top Ten Achievements Of The Century!
- Kids: Taking a Shot at Child Vaccinations
- Vaccines: Get an 'A' in Vaccines
- Virus Trained to Kill Bacteria
- One Baby Shot for 5 Diseases
- Sore Throat? Could Be Strep Throat
From 
Infectious Disease Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.