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How is it diagnosed?
Children and adults with diphtheria are treated
in a hospital.
After a doctor confirms the diagnosis through
throat culture and blood counts, the infected person receives
a special anti-toxin to neutralize the diphtheria toxin
already circulating in the body, as well as antibiotics to
kill the remaining diphtheria bacteria. The anti-toxin is
given through injections or intravenously. The patient is
closely watched while the anti-toxins are given because the
solution, which is made from horse serum (blood), may cause an
allergic reaction.
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