Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent membrane (a pseudomembrane) on the tonsil(s), pharynx, and/or nose. A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the aerosolized secretions of infected individuals. It is communicable between humans and sims.

In a sense, diphtheria is indirectly responsible for the end of slavery in the Federated Commonwealths. It was a fatal outbreak of the illness among the sims on Charles Gillen's plantation that forced Gillen to much his domestic-servant, Jeremiah, out into the fields. A hard day's labor caused Jeremiah to run away, and into history.