What does a doctor do to see if you have Diphtheria?

Physical examination:

A doctor will look for signs and symptoms of diphtheria, such as:

- Tonsils or back of the throat that appears swollen, red, and inflamed

- A thick grey-white membrane covering the tonsils and throat

- difficulty breathing and noisy breathing

- Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck

Throat swab test

A cotton swab is used to collect a sample of cells from the back of the throat and the tonsils. This sample is then sent to a lab to test for the diphtheria bacteria.

Blood test:

A blood test can be done to check for antibodies against the diphtheria bacteria. This can help determine if you have been infected with diphtheria in the past or if you are currently infected.

Imaging studies

Imaging studies, such as X-rays, may be ordered to check for any complications of diphtheria, such as pneumonia or swelling in the neck.