What should you know about diphtheria of the nose?

Nasal infection may cause a persistent discharge, blocked or sore nostrils, crusting, or bleeding. The discharge can be watery at first and may become thicker. Some people also develop tiredness, fever, sore throat, or a membrane in another part of the upper airway. Symptoms can be mild while bacteria are still transmissible, so appearance alone cannot confirm or exclude diphtheria. A clinician may examine the nose and throat and arrange a swab.

Read [Sore Throat] if throat symptoms are also present, but do not delay an assessment for suspected diphtheria.

Contact a healthcare service promptly and say that diphtheria is a concern before attending. Avoid close face-to-face contact, kissing, and shared towels or tissues; wash hands after touching nasal discharge and dispose of tissues safely. Do not insert objects into the nose or use leftover antibiotics. Treatment may include [Antibiotic Treatment], antitoxin, and assessment of people who had close contact.

Get emergency help for difficult or noisy breathing, swelling of the face or neck, repeated heavy bleeding, inability to swallow, faintness, blue-grey lips, or sudden severe weakness. Seek prompt advice after close contact even when nasal symptoms are limited. Ask about [Childhood Immunisation] to check and update preventive protection.

Ask whether a nasal or throat swab is needed, how to protect household members, whether preventive medicines are appropriate for contacts, and how long to avoid close contact. Ask when treatment is complete and which vaccine doses or boosters are due.