Diphtheria Is Considered to Be an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

question 27

Multiple Choice

Diphtheria is considered to be an upper respiratory tract infection. However, it can have a very high mortality rate if not caught early and treated. Predict why this is so.

• A) It makes a toxin that can be carried in blood and produce organ damage, particularly the heart.
• B) It successfully hides from the immune system of the patient.
• C) The patient cannot eat or drink and so basically starves to death.
• D) The bacterium moves from the throat to the brain, causing strokes to occur.