What happens if you get diphtheria

Most cases of diphtheria happen in people who aren't vaccinated at all or who didn't get all their shots. The Tdap vaccine is also recommended for all pregnant women during the second half of each pregnancy, even if they've had the vaccine before. Most children tolerate the vaccine well. Sometimes it causes mild side effects, such as redness or tenderness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, or general fussiness or crankiness. Severe complications, such as an allergic reaction, are rare.

Diphtheria is highly contagious. It passes easily from an infected person to others through sneezing, coughing, or even laughing. It also can spread to someone who picks up tissues or drinking glasses that were used by an infected person.

People infected with the diphtheria bacteria, even if they don't have any symptoms, can infect others for up to 4 weeks. The incubation period the time it takes for a person to become infected after being exposed for diphtheria is 2 to 4 days, although it can range from 1 to 6 days. Children and adults with diphtheria are treated in a hospital. After a doctor confirms the diagnosis through a throat culture , the infected person gets a special anti-toxin, given through injections or an IV , to neutralize the diphtheria toxin already circulating in the body, plus antibiotics to kill the remaining diphtheria bacteria.

In the respiratory tract, it causes a thick, gray coating to build up in the throat or nose. This coating can make it hard to breathe and swallow. Diphtheria skin infections can cause open sores or shallow ulcers. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Any skin ulcers usually heal within 2 to 3 months, but may leave a scar. People who have been in close contact with someone who has diphtheria may also need to take antibiotics, or may be given a dose of the diphtheria vaccination.

Page last reviewed: 28 February Next review due: 28 February Diphtheria vaccination Diphtheria is rare in the UK because babies and children are routinely vaccinated against it.

When childhood diphtheria vaccinations are given The vaccines are given at: 8, 12 and 16 weeks — 6-in-1 vaccine 3 separate doses 3 years 4 months — 4-in-1 pre-school booster 14 years — 3-in-1 teenage booster. Your doctor may believe that you have diphtheria if they see a gray coating on your throat or tonsils.

A throat culture may also be taken if your doctor suspects diphtheria of the skin. Diphtheria is a serious condition, so your doctor will want to treat you quickly and aggressively. The first step of treatment is an antitoxin injection. This is used to counteract the toxin produced by the bacteria. Make sure to tell your doctor if you suspect you might be allergic to the antitoxin. They may be able to give you small doses of the antitoxin and gradually build up to higher amounts. Your doctor will also prescribe antibiotics, such as erythromycin or penicillin, to help clear up the infection.

During treatment, your doctor may have you stay in the hospital so you can avoid passing your infection on to others. They may also prescribe antibiotics for those close to you. The vaccine for diphtheria is called DTaP. The DTaP vaccine is administered in a series of five shots. In rare cases, a child might have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. This can result in seizures or hives , which will later go away. Vaccines only last for 10 years, so your child will need to be vaccinated again around age Taking these steps can help prevent you or your child from getting diphtheria in the future.