What should you know about diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis?

Diphtheria can affect the throat and breathing passages, sometimes causing a thick coating and difficulty breathing. Tetanus can cause painful muscle stiffness and spasms after bacteria enter a wound. Pertussis, also called whooping cough, causes troublesome coughing that can interfere with feeding and sleep. A sore throat can occur with several infections and does not by itself identify diphtheria.

Check the vaccination record and ask a clinician whether any scheduled dose is due. Tell the vaccinator about previous serious reactions, current illness, pregnancy or immune problems. If infection is suspected, avoid close contact while arranging medical advice; treatment may include prescribed antibiotics and supportive care.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, severe weakness, choking, rapidly worsening throat swelling, or repeated coughing that prevents drinking. A deep or contaminated wound with muscle stiffness also needs prompt assessment. Infants with breathing pauses or feeding difficulty should be assessed urgently.

Ask which doses are recorded, whether a catch-up plan is needed, which symptoms require urgent review, and how to protect babies or household members from pertussis exposure.