Diphtheria - Diseases and Vaccines

Immunisation
Diphtheria

Bacteria
The bacteria cause a throat infection which can lead to breathing difficulties. The illness is very rare in countries with an immunisation programme.

Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccines used are INFANRIX^®- hexa, INFANRIX-IPV^TM and Boostrix^TM.

How it is spread
Bacteria enter through and attack the skin lining the nose, mouth and throat.

Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, difficulty breathing, foul breath, sleepiness, swollen glands and white patches on the tonsils.

Illness
A false membrane (like a skin) forms in the throat, leading to difficulty in swallowing and breathing.

Acute complications

The bacteria produces a toxin (chemical) which affects the body.
2–10% of people with the disease die.

Severe risks associated with diphtheria

The bacterial toxin can lead to nerve paralysis and heart failure.
Between 2–10 infected people in 100 die.

Severe risks associated with the vaccine

Anaphylaxis occurs extremely rarely after diphtheria-containing vaccine is given.

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Page last updated: 13 June 2008