What type of infection is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is classified as an infectious disease of the throat and upper respiratory tract. This condition is primarily caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which typically affects the mucous membranes of the throat. The disease is characterized by a thick coating in the back of the throat, leading to difficulty breathing, swallowing, and in severe cases, can cause damage to the heart and nerves.

The nature of diphtheria as a bacterial infection in the upper respiratory tract sets it apart from skin infections, which involve the skin's surface and underlying tissues but do not typically impact the throat region. Respiratory viral infections, on the other hand, are caused by viruses rather than bacteria and involve different pathogens and symptoms. Neurological infections pertain to issues affecting the nervous system, which is not the primary site of infection for diphtheria.

Thus, understanding the specific characteristics of diphtheria reveals why it is designated as an infectious disease of the throat and upper respiratory tract.