Diphtheria is a rare disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacteria produces harmful toxins.
Diphtheria is a serious illness that can be fatal. But getting the diphtheria vaccine can prevent it.
Children are offered the diphtheria vaccine through the childhood vaccines programme.
Diphtheria is rare in Ireland but it can still spread in places with lower rates of vaccination.
How diphtheria spreads
Diphtheria spreads through coughs and sneezes. You can get it through close contact with someone who has the infection or is a carrier. Carriers can spread the infection without being sick themselves.
You can also get diphtheria by sharing things with someone who has diphtheria, such as cups and cutlery. But this is rare.
Symptoms of diphtheria
Symptoms of diphtheria usually begin 2 to 5 days after you are exposed to the bacteria. But they can begin from 1 to 10 days after exposure.
Symptoms of diphtheria include:
- a sore throat
- fever
- cough
- hoarseness
- swollen glands in the neck
- pneumonia
- infection of the ear or eye - this is rare
Diphtheria can lead to more serious health problems including:
- breathing difficulties
- heart arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat)
- myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- nerve damage, which can lead to paralysis
Diphtheria can be fatal.
Urgent advice: Phone your GP, out-of-hours GP or emergency department if you:
- think you have diphtheria
- have symptoms of diphtheria
- have been in contact with a person who has diphtheria
Diphtheria spreads easily. The GP or emergency department will tell you what to do next.
If you have diphtheria, the GP or ED will notify your local department of public health. They will follow up with your close contacts after speaking to you.
Diphtheria vaccination
Diphtheria vaccination is part of our childhood vaccination programme.
It is given when you child is a baby and they get boosters when they are in school through the School Vaccination Programme.
When your child is offered diphtheria vaccines
Your child will get the diphtheria vaccine at:
- 2 months, 4 months and 6 months old
- 13 months (for children born on or after 1 October 2024)
- junior infants - 4-in-1 booster vaccine
- first year of secondary school - Tdap booster vaccine
It is often given along with other vaccines.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or local immunisation office if you:
- are not sure you or your child had all their vaccines
If travelling to an area with a diphtheria risk
Contact your GP or a travel vaccine clinic if:
- you are travelling to an area where there is a risk of diphtheria
- your last diphtheria vaccine was more than 10 years ago
They may recommend a diphtheria booster vaccine.
Areas may include:
- Africa
- South America
- India
- South East Asia
- Eastern Europe
The level of risk in an area can change.
For up-to-date information about the area you're visiting, check the TravelHealthPro country guides.
Treating diphtheria
The main treatments for diphtheria are:
- antibiotics to kill the bacteria
- medicines to remove the toxins (diphtheria antitoxin)
- cleaning infected wounds if diphtheria affects your skin
Treatment lasts for about 2 weeks. Any skin ulcers usually heal within 2 to 3 months. They may leave a scar.
If you are in close contact with someone who has diphtheria your local department of public health will give you advice about treatments.
This may include:
- antibiotics
- vaccination for diphtheria