Diphtheria
What is Diphtheria?
Diphtheria is an infection caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae). The toxin can damage healthy tissues and lead to serious health issues, including harm to the heart, kidneys, and other organs, as well as nerve damage and temporary paralysis.
The most common and severe form of diphtheria occurs when C. diphtheriae infects the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat), known as respiratory diphtheria. The bacterial toxin can also infect the skin and other parts of the body. When C. diphtheriae causes an infection of the skin, it is referred to as cutaneous diphtheria.
Diphtheria can lead to harm to the heart, kidneys and other organs, and can even cause nerve damage and temporary paralysis.
How does diphtheria spread?
The disease spreads through coughing and sneezing from an infected person, including those who carry the bacteria but show no symptoms. Diphtheria can also be transmitted by contaminated objects or foods, wound secretions, and being in close contact with someone who has diphtheria.
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
Signs and symptoms of respiratory diphtheria typically appear two to five days after infection and may include:
- Painful swallowing
- Sore throat and hoarseness
- Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck
- A thick, white or grayish coating on the back of the nose or throat, which can make breathing or swallowing difficult
- Mild fever (101°F or less) and chills
- Weakness
Signs and symptoms of cutaneous diphtheria can include:
- Open sore or ulcer on the skin with a clear edge (if the bacteria infects the skin)
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the wound
- Rash with scaling or peeling of the skin
after infection with diphtheria before respiratory symptoms may appear
How can you prevent diphtheria?
Vaccination is the best way to protect people of all ages, especially infants and young children, from diphtheria. The diphtheria vaccine is combined with vaccines that protect against pertussis and tetanus. For babies and young children, this vaccine is called DTaP. For preteens, teens, adults, and pregnant women, the vaccine is Tdap. Td is another option for non-pregnant adults to protect against diphtheria.
Babies and Children
For the best protection against diphtheria, children need to receive all 5 recommended doses of the DTaP vaccine at age:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- Between 15 and 18 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
Preteens and Teens
The Tdap vaccine is the booster shot that helps protect preteens and teens from the same three diseases that the DTaP vaccine protects young children against. All preteens are recommended to receive one dose of Tdap when they are 11 or 12 years old. Teens who did not get the Tdap vaccine at that age should get it as soon as possible. Tdap is especially important for anyone who is in close contact with a baby younger than 12 months of age.
Adults
The CDC recommends adults who previously received the Tdap vaccine receive a Tdap or Td vaccine every 10 years. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you need to be boosted before the 10-year recommendation due to underlying conditions, workplace requirements, or other special circumstances. Remember that protecting yourself with Tdap vaccine as an adult will help stop the spread of pertussis disease to infants.
Pregnancy
The Tdap vaccine is recommended for use during every pregnancy and for those who will be in close contact with infants, primarily to protect against pertussis, a serious and potentially deadly disease for newborns.
CDC Recommended Immunization Schedules
To ensure that your entire family is up to date on their vaccines, check out the following CDC recommended immunization schedules and talk to your healthcare provider.
