Diagnosis

Depending largely upon the symptoms experienced by an individual and any signs physically, for example, swollen throat and grey throat membrane. During the initial stages of diagnosis if the doctor may think that you have diphtheria, He shall collect samples of swabs from your nose, any kind of skin wounds, ulcers or cuts where in the bacteria can be examined using a microscope in a laboratory. Incase the bacteria found is C. diphtheria, the doctor can determine how the illness might progress and also if there are any kind of risk involved to anyone the infected person is in contact with.
Within the first 48 hours of symptoms developing, Antitoxin treatment is given. Antibodies are required to be measured to diphtheria Toxin, for which blood sample is required. Cells produced by a Human body to fight diseases and infections are called Antibodies. A second sample of blood is taken after 2 weeks to measure it again
Treatment
Treatment involves admitting in the hospital. You will be given a separate room and kept in isolation since the disease is contagious. Initially injections and later tablet form of Antibiotics. This oral medication needs to be taken for at least maximum 14 to minimum 7 days. In case of C diptheria, antitoxin injection will be given. This reduces the effect of toxins in the body. There shall be no interaction with other people until you are recovered completely. The entire test should show that the infection is completely cleared from your body. Before you leave the hospital a full course of diphtheria vaccine will be given.
Any individual, who has come in close contact with a diptheria infected person, should visit the doctor immediately and check for the symptoms. Daily Throat and nose swab for 7 days will be required, it will also follow with the antibiotic treatment and will be given booster dose of the vaccine. Chances of catching the disease from a household person are high compared to colleagues or friends.
Prevention is better than cure, this should be the mantra for Diptheria. Timely diagnosis can prove to be more effective.
Complications

Very seldom intensive care might be required as in some cases the toxin or poison which can easily enter the bloodstream and can move throughout the body, which can cause fatal damage to the heart, nervous system and other organs. The effects usually develop after a period of 26 weeks, which have chances to lead to collapse, coma or paralysis. If there has been any delay in treating this with antitoxin, Bronchopneumonia can occur and can be life threatening. The percentage is on higher side if you fall under the age group of 5 years or above 40 years. 5-10% cases can be fatal. Even if you have recovered there are high chances that you may be carry the infection for months, weeks or for good.

Prevention

Diphtheria toxid with immunisation along with tetanus toxoid and pertussis are given to children at the age of 2,3 and 4 months. At the age of 3 and 5 booster doses are given and again repeated at 16 and 18 years.

This usually occurs in countries where immunization is very poor. If you happen to visit any such places, there can be a chance. So make sure you visit your Doctor and follow his advice before you decide to visit these places.