Health tips to prevent diphtheria
The most effective way of avoiding the illness is vaccination. The diphtheria vaccination is highly effective and is administered as part of the Systematic Immunisation Programme in Catalonia (Programa de vacunacions sistemàtiques).
What do you need to bear in mind if you have diphtheria or you are caring for someone who does?
Diphtheria is transmitted via the respiratory tract, mainly, and also by direct contact with a sick person or a healthy carrier of the bacteria. The illness may affect the tonsils, pharynx, the larynx, the nasal mucous membrane and, much less frequently, the skin or other mucous membranes. The bacteria forms a thick grey membrane with a dark red swollen area around it, which in the case of the nose and throat may obstruct the respiratory tract.
Some people may carry the bacteria in their nose or throat. If these people are vaccinated they will not develop the illness, but they may transmit the bacterium to other people via droplets produced when they sneeze or cough. The existence of carriers in countries with no cases of the illness is very rare.