Diphtheria

Introduction

Diphtheria is a dangerous illness caused by a toxin made by some types of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) bacteria.

While diphtheria is still found in many countries, thanks to vaccines, it is very rare in the United States. People who aren't up to date with their diphtheria vaccines can get sick if they visit places where diphtheria is still common. The DTaP, Td, and Tdap vaccines help protect against diphtheria.

How Diphtheria Spreads & Who is Affected

Respiratory Diphtheria is the most common and serious form. Toxin-producing C. diphtheriae infects the nose or throat. People usually spread small respiratory droplets with the bacteria by coughing or sneezing. Others can get infected when they breathe these droplets in.

Cutaneous (skin infection) Diphtheria is when toxin-producing C. diphtheriae infects the skin or other body parts.

Risk increases with close contact, including:

living together
being close together often
touching an infected person's wound or personal items
kissing or sharing utensils or toothbrushes

People who aren't up to date with their diphtheria vaccines and travel to areas where diphtheria is more common are at increased risk.

Symptoms & Health Effects

The most common symptoms of respiratory diphtheria include:

Mild fever
A thick, gray membrane (pseudomembrane) in the nose or throat
Sore throat
Swollen glands in the neck
Weakness

If left untreated, respiratory diphtheria can lead to:

Breathing problems
Damage to the heart muscle
Kidney failure
Nerve damage

Symptoms of diphtheria skin infections can include:

Open sore or ulcer with a clear edge
Pain
Rash with scales or peeling skin
Redness
Swelling

Although the wound is slow healing, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in complications, severe disease, or death.

Diphtheria Vaccination: Who, When, & How

The best way to prevent diphtheria is to get immunized. There are three combination vaccines that protect against diphtheria: DTaP, Td, and Tdap. All contain the letter “D/d" since they protect against diphtheria. The “T" in these vaccines stands for tetanus, and the “P/p" in DTaP and Tdap stands for whooping cough (pertussis).

People who should get DTaP vaccines are:

All babies at 2, 4, and 6 months
All children at 15-18 months and 4-6 years

People who should get Tdap vaccines are:

All preteens 11-12 years
All adults (Tdap or Td once every ten years or of they have a wound and need
protection against tetanus).
All pregnant people during each pregnancy, as soon as possible between 27-36 weeks (to prevent whooping cough in newborns).

See the Public Health for All webpage for more details.

Safety & Effectiveness

Diphtheria vaccines are very effective: a complete primary three-dose series of diphtheria vaccine is estimated to have 97% efficacy in preventing severe diphtheria disease. Booster doses are required to maintain long-term immunity throughout adulthood.

Most people who get a diphtheria vaccine don't have serious side effects. With every medicine, there is a chance of side effects. Most are mild and go away on their own within a few days: