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Diphtheria | Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection, usually affecting the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium. It lives in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person and can be spread to others by coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms may include a sore throat and painful swallowing; fever and chills; swollen glands and weakness. The hallmark sign of diphtheria is a thick, gray covering in the back of your throat that can make breathing difficult. Diphtheria can also infect your skin. The bacterium produces a toxin (Poison) that can cause serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis.
There are four combination vaccines used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; two (Tdap and Td) are given to older children and adults. Td is a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine given to adolescents and adults as a booster shot every 10 years, or after an exposure to tetanus under some circumstances. Tdap is similar to Td but also containing protection against pertussis. Adults 19 through 64 years of age should receive a single dose of Tdap.
| | As an adult, do I need this Vaccine?
Everyone needs protection from diphtheria. If you have not had a booster shot in 10 years or more -- or never had the initial 3-shot series -- you should be vaccinated. | Diphtheria Hits
Gila County
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