Mode of transmisison: droplet/infected skin contact

Incubation: 2-5d

Period of infectivity: 2wks or less

Vaccines: cell-free purified diptheria toxoid

• DTaP-IPV-HepB/Hib (infanrix-hexa)

• DTaP-IPV (infanrix-IPV)

• Tdap (boostrix)

• Td (ADT Booster)

• no specific contraindications

Schedule: 6wks,3mo,5mo,4yo, 11yo, 45,65, pregnancy

efficacy: 87-98% protection; immunised = less severe

Herd: ≥ 70%must be immune to prevent major community outbreaks

• serious, often fatal, toxin mediated disease

• Corynebacterium diphtheriae

  • gram positive

Clinical

• membranous inflammation of upper respirator tract

• involvement of other tissues

  • myocardium

  • periperhal nerves

• humans = only known host

• gradual onset 1-2d

  • mildly painful tonsillitis with associated greyish membrane

    • suspected if membrane involves ulvula and soft palate

• complication = respiratory obstruction