Monitoring
Patients with respiratory diphtheria require careful monitoring for any signs of airway compromise resulting from pharyngeal oedema, pseudomembrane formation, or neurological involvement.
Treatment with antitoxin should be undertaken by staff experienced in the treatment of anaphylaxis, in a facility with the necessary resuscitation drugs and equipment.[28] This can be safely done in outbreak settings, provided that trained staff are present to rapidly detect and treat adverse reactions.[45][54]
Eradication of the causative organism should be confirmed by two negative sets of culture swabs from the infection site taken at least 24 hours apart, following completion of antibiotic therapy.[43]
Patients who had neurological or cardiac complications at time of presentation require follow-up with a neurologist or cardiologist as appropriate.
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