Anpheros Search · Condition

Diphtheria

Also known as: Diphtheria, unspecified

General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).

In short

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the nose and throat. Transmission occurs from an infected person who coughs or sneezes, or by coming in contact with an object that has the bacteria on it. Symptoms include a sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, fever, and weakness. Getting treatment with antibiotics quickly is important, and if a doctor suspects the infection, treatment starts before the lab tests come back. The diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine can prevent the infection, with boosters needed at about age 12 and every 10 years for adults.

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.

Codes

ICD-10: A36
ICD-11: 1C17.Z Diphtheria, unspecified

Description

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by coming in contact with an object, such as a toy, that has bacteria on it.
Diphtheria usually affects the nose and throat. Symptoms include:
Sore throat
Swollen glands in the neck
Fever
Weakness
Your doctor will diagnose it based on your signs and symptoms and a lab test. Getting treatment for diphtheria quickly is important. If your doctor suspects that you have it, you'll start treatment before the lab tests come back. Treatment is with antibiotics.
The diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine can prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Children need another dose, or booster, at about age 12. Then, as adults, they should get a booster every 10 years. Diphtheria is very rare in the United States because of the vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

Next to it in ICD-10

Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.

External resources

Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for Diphtheria?

A36 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).

What is the ICD-11 code for Diphtheria?

1C17.Z: Diphtheria, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).

Sources and attribution

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).

Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →

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