What is diphtheria?
How do people get Diphtheria?
How serious is Diphtheria?
What are the Symptoms of diphtheria?
What are the complications?
Is Diphtheria vaccine safe?
How can diphtheria be prevented?
How does diphtheria vaccine work?
How effective is the vaccine?
Where can I find out more?
If you have any queries or concerns about vaccines please contact your GP or local health office
What is diphtheria?
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Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria called Cornebacterium diphtheriae. These bacteria are found in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person.
Diphtheria can lead to difficulty in swallowing, breathlessness and suffocation.
How do people get Diphtheria?
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The bacteria that cause diphtheria are found in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person. These bacteria are easily spread to others by coughing or sneezing of droplets of moisture into the air.
How serious is Diphtheria?
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Diphtheria is a serious illness. Of the people who get diphtheria 1 in 15 will die.
A powerful toxin (poison) is produced by diphtheria which damages organs and tissues through out the body. This may lead to complications such as paralysis, heart failure and death.
What are the Symptoms of diphtheria?
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The first sign of diphtheria is usually a sore throat and finding it difficult to swallow.
Other common symptoms are a low grade fever, nausea, vomiting, headache and a fast heart rate.
What are the complications?
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Complications include
- Heart failure
- Paralysis
- Severe breathing problems
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Death.
Is Diphtheria vaccine safe?
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Yes Diphtheria vaccine is safe.
Of the people who are immunised;
- 1 in 10 have redness and swelling where the injection was given or have a fever.
Serious side effects are very rare.
How can diphtheria be prevented?
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Diphtheria can be prevented by vaccination.
Diphtheria vaccine is given as part of the routine childhood immunisation program, together with tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), HiB, and inactivated polio (IPV) vaccines (referred to as the “5-in-1” vaccine). Vaccination is given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Booster vaccine doses are given at 4-5 years of age and again between 11-14 years of age.
If your child requires vaccination, or you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, contact your GP for advice.
It is very important to immunise against diphtheria as there has been a global re- emergence of Diphtheria because of falling immunisations.
How does diphtheria vaccine work?
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Diphtheria vaccine protects children by providing immunity to the toxin that causes the symptoms of the illness, rather that immunity to the bacteria itself. As it acts on the toxin, it is called a toxoid.
How effective is the vaccine?
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The full course of this vaccine offers good protection against diphtheria for 95% of people. People who have been immunised by diphtheria may still carry the bacteria in their throats. This means that, while they are protected they may still pass the bacteria on to people who have not been immunised and young babies.
Where can I find out more?
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You can ask for further information regarding immunisation from your G.P., Public Health Nurse or Local HSE clinic.
See the National Immunisation Guidelines of Ireland 2002, Chapter 3 for more detailed information on diphtheria vaccination.
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