What is it?
Diphtheria is a serious contagious disease caused by a bacterium. This bacterium produces toxins that damage tissues such as the skin and the lungs. The throat can swell severely and breathing becomes difficult. If the toxins enter the bloodstream, a severe inflammation of the heart can develop, which may be fatal. The bacterium can also cause an inflammation of the skin. This form is less serious. The disease can occur anywhere in the world. In countries with a well-maintained vaccination programme, such as the Netherlands, diphtheria really only occurs as an imported disease and does not lead to further spread.
The symptoms depend on the site of the infection (nose, throat, windpipe, lungs or skin). Someone with diphtheria can have many different symptoms.
How do you catch it?
Diphtheria can be transmitted by people who carry the bacterium in their throat or on their skin. Infection can occur through the air by sneezing and coughing, and through direct contact such as kissing and touching the skin, as well as through an infected wound. Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, dogs and cats can also carry the bacterium. Infection can also occur by drinking raw, unpasteurised milk and through close contact with animals that carry the bacterium. The time between infection and the first symptoms is usually 2-5 days, and no longer than 7 days.
How do you prevent it?
Vaccination offers good protection against diphtheria. Anyone who has never been vaccinated against this disease is advised to do so. The vaccination against diphtheria is the DTP vaccination, a single vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. The vaccination is part of the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. A booster vaccination is needed if you are travelling to a country where diphtheria occurs and it is more than 10 years since your last vaccination. You should receive a DTP vaccination at least three days before departure and it protects you for up to 10 years. A booster vaccination is also needed in the event of possible infection.
In addition to the conditions at your destination, your personal situation and travel plans are variables that have a decisive influence on the preparations you may wish, or be required, to make before you travel. At Amsterdam Travel Clinic you can obtain expert travel medicine advice and the vaccination mentioned above. We keep this vaccination in stock.
The above description is only a general, brief and simplified account and is provided for information purposes only. No rights may be derived from it. Personal advice is provided solely during a consultation with the specially trained Certified Travel Medicine Physician or Travel Medicine Assistant.