What is it?

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the nose and throat and can lead to difficulties in breathing and respiratory problems. In severe cases in unvaccinated individuals the disease can lead to respiratory and heart failure or a build-up of toxins in the nervous system. The disease is spread through respiration droplets in sneezes and coughs.

Travel precautions

Our recommended vaccines for the most common travel destinations outside of Europe includes Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) vaccines. For travellers who are visiting the developing world on a regular basis or for prolonged periods of time, we would recommend considering hepatitis B vaccine. Cholera is worth considering for travellers visiting rural areas of developing countries. The vaccine against cholera (Dukoral) also reduces the risk of the most common form of traveller’s diarrhoea caused by E coli. Dukoral is an oral vaccine given in two doses one week apart.

Diphtheria is a disease that is now rarely seen except in more developing countries such as in  Africa and South Asia where fewer people are vaccinated against Diphtheria. It is very important to have good hand hygiene in places with higher risks of Diphtheria by washing your hands often with soap or hand sanitizer.

Signs and symptoms

Diphtheria affects the respiratory system and the throat and therefore a large majority of the symptoms occur in this area of the body. Symptoms include a sore throat, breathing difficulties and a grey-white membrane developing in the throat. Other symptoms such as a heavy cough, bluish skin colorization and rapid/shallow breathing may also be noticed.