In which disease does a thick, gray, bacterial pseudomembrane develop shortly after infection and covers the structures of the respiratory tract, making breathing difficult?

Question

In which disease does a thick, gray, bacterial pseudomembrane develop shortly after infection and covers the structures of the respiratory tract, making breathing difficult?​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The development of a thick, gray, bacterial pseudomembrane shortly after infection that covers the structures of the respiratory tract and makes breathing difficult is a classic symptom of diphtheria. This pseudomembrane is made up of dead tissue and the bacteria that cause diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and can cause severe breathing problems or even death if it is not treated quickly.

In Which Disease Does a Thick, Gray, Bacterial Pseudomembrane Develop