Tetanus and diphtheria: meaning explained

Tetanus usually begins when bacteria enter broken skin. Its toxin interferes with nerve signals, leading to jaw stiffness, painful spasms, and rigidity. Diphtheria usually spreads through respiratory droplets or close contact. It can cause a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, weakness, and a thick coating in the throat that may interfere with breathing. A sore throat has many possible causes and does not by itself establish diphtheria. Both illnesses can become severe, so suspected cases need medical assessment.

Check your vaccination record and arrange a review if it is incomplete or unavailable. Keep a person with a possible contagious throat illness away from close contact until a clinician gives advice, and avoid sharing cups or utensils. Do not use leftover antibiotics; treatment depends on the suspected illness and may include prescribed antimicrobial medicine and other supportive care. Learn more through [Childhood Immunisation](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/childhood-immunisation/) and [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/).

Get urgent help for difficulty breathing or swallowing, a rapidly enlarging neck, severe weakness, repeated muscle spasms, or jaw stiffness. Seek prompt assessment for a persistent sore throat with fever, a thick throat coating, unusual neck swelling, or a recent dirty wound when vaccination protection is uncertain. Contact a healthcare service before arriving if diphtheria is suspected so infection-control advice can be arranged.

Ask which illness best fits the symptoms, whether testing or isolation is needed, whether close contacts require advice, and which vaccines are due. Share your vaccination history, recent travel or exposure, wound history, medicines, and any breathing or swallowing change.