Your guide to diphtheria and its symptoms

All you need to know about this serious bacterial infection and how to avoid it.

With so many uncertain things in life, taking stock and control over the things you can is vital – especially when prioritising your health and the health of your loved ones.

This is why it’s important to stay up to date with your vaccinations. It helps you and your growing children develop essential immunity against serious life-threatening diseases1.

One such life-threatening disease that can be avoided with vaccines is diphtheria (pronounced dif-THEER-e-uh)2. Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat2.

How does it spread?

Like most common infectious diseases, diphtheria can easily spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes2. 

What are the signs and symptoms?

It takes approximately 2 to 5 days for signs and symptoms to appear after the first infection2.

The bacterial infection can cause a thick grey coating at the back of the throat2. Other signs and symptoms of diphtheria can include2:

  • Weakness
  • Sore throat
  • Mild fever
  • Swollen glands in the neck

Potential complications

If left untreated, toxic substances from diphtheria-causing bacteria may lead to the following complications2,3:

  • Breathing problems (caused by airway blockage)
  • Damage to heart muscle
  • Nerve damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Death, in some cases

Prevention is better than cure

The first port of call to prevent contracting diphtheria is vaccination4.

There are several kinds of vaccinations that may protect against diphtheria, one of which is used during pregnancy and another which forms part of the childhood vaccination schedule5. (Read: Why routine vaccinations are so important – link to article).

Be sure to contact your Health Care Provider for more information on diphtheria vaccination and immunisation, and steps to take should you, or your loved ones contract diphtheria.

Read more how to prevent and protect with Sanofi:

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References:

  1. UNICEF, South Africa. All you need to know about childhood vaccinations. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/parents-frequently-asked-questions-vaccines. Accessed April 2024.
  2. Mayo Clinic. Diphtheria. Available from:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diphtheria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351897. Accessed April 2024.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diphtheria. Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/about/diagnosis-treatment.html. Accessed April 2024.
  4. World Health Organization (WHO). Diphtheria. Key Facts. 20 November 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diphtheria. Accessed April 2024.
  5. Department of Health (DoH), South Africa. Expanded Programme on Immunisation – EPI (SA). Revised Immunisation Schedule from January 2024.

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