Clinical Diagnosis · Immune System · Medium

Diphtheria

Meaning: A bacterial infection producing a grey membrane over the throat, which can block the airway and release a heart-damaging toxin.

In practice: Routine childhood immunisation has made diphtheria rare in the UK.

Quick check

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: Failure to recognise objects, sounds or people despite intact basic senses.

Which word means: A collection of pus within a body cavity, most commonly the space between the lung and chest wall.

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