Diphtheria is a serious infectious disease that affects the airways and is very dangerous in children. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills and sore throat. A yellow-grey coating may form in the back of the throat and sometimes in the nose and on the lips. An infected child has difficulty breathing and should remain upright. The child's neck may become swollen and the breath smells very bad. If a child has these signs, take them to the nearest health unit IMMEDIATELY. Diphtheria can kill and can be prevented by IMMUNISATION.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation