Diptheria vaccination

Diphtheria vaccination

You’d be forgiven for not having heard about Diphtheria before, as the UK’s highly successful vaccination programme has largely erased it in this country, but Diphtheria is a respiratory bacterial infection.

It mostly affects the nose and throat, causing difficulty in breathing, with the potential to spiral into respiratory and heart failure in severe, untreated cases. The disease spreads through the tiny droplets in our coughs and sneezes, making it highly contagious and easily transmittable.

Countries at risk

Though very rare in developed countries, risks remain high in South-East Asia, India, South America, and Africa. Reported cases of Diphtheria are still very common, as vaccination programmes are not as widely administered in these parts of the world.

Travel precautions

For those travelling outside of Europe, our recommendations for the most important vaccines include Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Diphtheria, Typhoid and Polio (DTP). For prolonged or frequent visits to the developing world, we’d recommend the Hepatitis B vaccine.

If you plan on travelling to rural areas of developing nations, Dukoral – the vaccine for cholera – is also highly recommended, helping to reduce the risk of traveller’s diarrhoea, commonly caused by E coli. Dukoral is actually an oral vaccine, and is provided in two doses, with a week-long gap in between doses.

Keep your hygiene to high standards when travelling, using soap and hand sanitiser, to lower the risk of catching other harmful diseases.

Signs and symptoms

Being a respiratory disease, Diphtheria largely affects the throat, meaning most of your symptoms will appear in this area. Obvious signs like a sore throat, heavy cough, or breathing difficulties may indicate the presence of Diphtheria, but aren’t the most reliable symptoms for self-diagnosis – they could just as easily indicate a common cold.

The distinguishing feature of Diphtheria is the grey-white membrane that develops in the throat and nose. Bluish colourisation of the skin is another highly abnormal sign to look out for, and in either case, you should seek urgent medical attention.

The vaccination

The UK employs a childhood diphtheria vaccination programme that protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio, with a booster jab recommended for travellers every 10 years, especially when travelling to higher-risk areas.

Price and availability

We’re always happy to help with advice or pricing information, and you can pop in to your local Amiry & Gilbride pharmacy any time for help. If it’s easier for you, enquiries can be made online or by phone through your local pharmacy’s webpage or phone number.