Diphtheria Is Considered to Be an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

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.