Serious acute cases of diphtheria are treated with antibiotics and

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Serious acute cases of diphtheria are treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. However, the bacteria also produce a toxin that can cause severe complications. To neutralize this toxin, patients receive diphtheria antitoxin, which contains antibodies that bind to and inactivate the toxin. Diphtheria toxoid is a vaccine that is given to prevent diphtheria, but it is not used to treat the disease. Diphtheria toxin is produced by the bacteria and causes the symptoms of the disease, so it is not a treatment option.

Serious Acute Cases of Diphtheria Are Treated with Antibiotics and