What is diphtheria
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. Symptoms are caused by a toxin (poison) made by bacteria. This toxin can make it hard to breathe. It can also damage your heart and nerves.
Diphtheria is rare in Australia because most people are vaccinated against it. It can still spread in places where fewer people are vaccinated, and outbreaks can still happen. Sometimes, people get diphtheria overseas and bring it into Australia.
There are 2 different types of diphtheria:
- respiratory diphtheria, which can affect your throat and breathing system
- cutaneous diphtheria, causing skin lesions.
Who’s at risk
You have a higher risk of diphtheria if you:
- aren’t vaccinated
- haven’t had all your recommended vaccine doses
- travel to a country where diphtheria is more common
- have close contact with someone who has diphtheria
- live in, or travel to, an area with a diphtheria outbreak.
Diphtheria can affect people of any age. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after you come into contact with the bacteria, but they can start up to 10 days later. Diphtheria symptoms depend on the type of infection.
Some people have no symptoms, but they can still pass the infection to others.
Respiratory diphtheria
Respiratory diphtheria affects the throat and airways.
Symptoms can include:
- a sore throat
- a runny nose
- a fever
- swollen glands in the neck
- swelling on both sides of the neck, sometimes called ‘bull neck’
- trouble swallowing and noisy breathing
- a hoarse voice that gets worse over time
- a white or grey film can form over the throat and tonsils, which can make it hard to breathe.
Cutaneous diphtheria
Cutaneous diphtheria affects the skin.
Symptoms can include:
- skin sores that don’t heal
- ulcers on exposed areas of the body, especially the legs.
How it spreads
Diphtheria can spread from person to person through:
- coughing or sneezing
- close contact with an infected person
- contact with infected skin sores
- touching items that have been contaminated by the bacteria.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the best protection against diphtheria.
In Australia, the diphtheria vaccine is given as part of a combined vaccine. It’s often called DTPa or dTpa. It protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).
Diphtheria vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- babies and young children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and 4 years
- young people 11 to 13 through the School Immunisation Program
- people under 20 who haven’t had all their recommended childhood vaccines
- every pregnancy.
Diphtheria vaccines are free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland who are 20 and over, for:
- a full course of 3 doses if you haven’t had all 3 doses before
- a booster dose if you’ve had at least 3 doses before, but your last one was more than 10 years ago
- a booster dose if you’ve had at least 3 doses before, but your last one was more than 5 years ago and you're travelling to a high risk area mentioned on the Australian CDC website.
You should also get vaccinated if you’re:
- 20 and over and haven’t had a full course of diphtheria vaccines
- 50 and over and haven’t had a booster dose in the past 10 years
- travelling to countries where diphtheria is more common
- travelling to areas where it may be hard to access health care
- a laboratory worker.
Talk to your GP, nurse or immunisation provider if you’re not sure whether you or your child is up to date.
Getting vaccinated is easy. Find out where to get vaccinated.
It is good to check how much your vaccination consultation will cost when booking an appointment with your vaccine provider.
Side effects of the vaccine
The vaccine can have side effects, but most are mild and go away quickly.
Side effects can include:
- fever
- redness or soreness where the injection was given
- nausea
- headache
- tiredness
- aching muscles.
Contact your immunisation provider if you or your child has a reaction that worries you.
How it’s treated
People with diphtheria need antibiotics and may also need:
- diphtheria antitoxin
- hospital care
- support with breathing.
You may need to stay away from work, school or childcare until you’re cleared to return.
If you’ve had contact with a person with diphtheria
If you’ve had close physical contact with someone with diphtheria, you may also need to be checked.
This may mean getting swabs from:
- your nose
- your throat
- any skin sores or ulcers.
Your vaccination history will be checked, and you may need a diphtheria vaccine.
You may need to stay away from work, school or childcare until you’re cleared to return.
A Queensland Health public health unit will tell close contacts when they can return to work or school.
When to get help
If you're not sure whether to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or see your GP.
If your symptoms are severe, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.