Diphtheria
Diphtheria is spread by coughing and sneezing. It causes a sore throat,
low-grade fever, and can completely clog a person's airway. Diphtheria can
cause breathing and heart problems, coma, paralysis, and death.
Symptoms include:
- The gradual onset of a sore throat.
- A low-grade fever.
- Weakness.
- Enlarged lymph nodes of the neck.
Scientific Term
Generic Term
Age Groups at Risk
Fact Sheets
Vaccine Information
Ages birth to seven: DTaP or DT
Vaccine
- Kids should be immunized in the first 18 months of life with a four-shot
series of the combination vaccine, DTaP. It includes diphtheria, tetanus,
and pertussis. Kids who get all four doses before their fourth birthday
should get a fifth dose before starting kindergarten or elementary school.
The fifth dose isn't necessary if the fourth dose was given on or after the
fourth birthday. This combination vaccine is not given to people over age
seven.
DT vaccine is available for kids under seven who can't tolerate the pertussis
(whooping cough) component.
Ages 10 and up: Tdap or
Td Vaccine
- One dose of Tdap vaccine is recommended for adolescents
aged 11 or 12 years in place of one Td booster. Kids in Grades 6 or 7 who
are at least 11 years old are required to show proof of Tdap vaccination if
it has been five years since they got a tetanus-containing vaccine (DTaP,
DT, or Td). One dose of Tdap vaccine is also recommended for older adolescents aged
13-18 years and adults aged 19 through 64 years.
Vaccine Information Statements
Related Information
Department of Health:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Last Update:
01/09/2012 02:51 PM