Diphtheria is an illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This toxin kills healthy tissue and can infect the nose and throat or skin. Symptoms will depend on where the infection occurs.
When the upper respiratory tract is infected, children can develop a pseudomembrane, a thick, gray coating of dead tissue in the nose or throat. The pseudomembrane can build up and make it very hard to breathe or swallow. This can lead to severe, life-threatening complications.
When the skin is infected, children can develop very painful, open sores and ulcers that are slow to heal. The diphtheria toxin can also cause a rash with peeling skin.
Why does my child need protection against diphtheria?
Respiratory diphtheria is very dangerous. The glands in the neck can become severely swollen. Buildup of the pseudomembrane in the throat can lead to airway blockage, coma and even death.
If the diphtheria toxin gets into the blood stream, it can kill the tissue of other organs. When this occurs, the toxin can cause kidney failure, myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle), or polyneuropathy (nerve damage). If diphtheria toxin is absorbed into the bloodstream and not treated, a child can die within 6- 10 days.
Even with treatment, about 1 in 10 people with respiratory diphtheria will die. Without treatment, up to half of people die from the disease.
Which vaccines protect against diphtheria?
DTaP and Tdap are vaccines that protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Immunization in infancy is the best way to protect against respiratory diphtheria. Children are recommended to get DTaP at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months and 4-6 years of age. Booster doses of Tdap are recommended for adolescents 11-18 years of age, and every 10 years for adults.
Are they safe?
DTaP and Tdap vaccines are safe. Side effects of the vaccines occur infrequently, but most commonly include soreness or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, fussiness, fever or fainting (which is more common in adolescents after any vaccine). To prevent fainting and related injuries, teens should remain seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes afterward.
Are they effective?
DTaP and Tdap are very effective, but their protection decreases over time, which is why children need multiple doses to ensure prolonged protection throughout their childhood and why adults need boosters to ensure protection throughout adulthood. When infants receive their initial series of DTaP on time, the vaccine is 97% effective at preventing diphtheria.