Travel Health Advice - Diphtheria


What is it? A bacterial disease affecting the throat and causing obstruction of the airways. Damage to the nervous system follows and thereafter death in up to 20% of cases. How is it transmitted? Person-to-person through close physical contact. Where is it present? Worldwide. Recently there have been epidemics in east European nations. Level of risk? High. What can I do to prevent getting it? All travellers must have the current 'triple vaccine' DTP, which covers diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Treatment? Either erythromycin or procaine penicillin.

View information on diseases:
