Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a throat infection which can lead to breathing difficulties. The illness is very rare in countries with an immunisation programme.
Summary
Diphtheria bacteria enter through and attack the skin lining the nose, mouth and throat.
They cause a greyish membrane (like a skin) to form in the throat. This leads to difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
Diphtheria complications
- The bacteria produces a toxin (chemical) which affects the body and can lead to nerve paralysis and heart failure.
- 5–10 percent of people with the disease die.
Symptoms
If you or your child has diphtheria, the symptoms will be:
- fever
- sore throat
- headache
- difficulty breathing
- bad breath
- sleepiness
- swollen glands
- white patches on the tonsils
- bark-like cough.
Prevention
It’s important to protect babies from diphtheria by getting them immunised on time. They’re not protected until they’ve had all three doses.
All babies in New Zealand can be immunised against diphtheria as part of their free childhood immunisations at six weeks, three months and five months old.
Booster doses are given to children when they’re four and 11 years old.
Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPV™ and Boostrix™.
Continuing protection
To ensure protection continues, a diphtheria booster is offered at 45 and 65 years of age.
Making a decision about immunisation
Risks associated with diphtheria
- The bacterial toxin can lead to nerve paralysis and heart failure.
- Between 5–10 infected people in 100 die.
Risks associated with the vaccine
- Anaphylaxis occurs extremely rarely after diphtheria-containing vaccine is given.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or practice nurse or call the Immunisation Advisory Centre free helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
Resources
Childhood Immunisation
Available from HealthEd.
Adult Tetanus and Diphtheria immunisation
Available on HealthEd
Related websites
Immunisation Advisory Centre
Independent advice for parents on the immunisations available in New Zealand.
Better Health Channel
Consumer health and medical information from the Victoria (Australia) state government.
Page last updated: 08 February 2013
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