What should you know about types of diphtheria?

Respiratory diphtheria affects the nose, throat, tonsils, or voice box. It may cause sore throat, fever, weakness, swollen neck glands, and a thick grey or white coating that can make breathing or swallowing difficult. Cutaneous diphtheria affects broken or irritated skin and may resemble a slow-healing ulcer with a covering. The bacteria can release a toxin that harms tissues beyond the original site, including the heart and nerves. A person can spread infection through respiratory droplets or contact with infected skin, so suspected diphtheria requires infection-control precautions and professional assessment.

Seek medical advice promptly and mention vaccination history, recent travel, close contact with a suspected case, and any throat or skin symptoms. Do not try to scrape a throat coating away. Clinicians may take samples, begin treatment before every result is available when suspicion is high, and advise isolation. Antibiotic treatment helps clear the bacteria and reduce spread; close contacts may need testing, preventive treatment, or vaccination review. Complete prescribed treatment and follow instructions about returning to school, work, or shared spaces.

Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing neck swelling, fainting, severe weakness, or chest symptoms. A sore throat with a thick coating, marked neck swelling, or exposure to confirmed diphtheria needs same-day medical advice. Keep distance from vulnerable household members until a clinician explains the precautions.

Which site appears to be affected? Do I need testing or isolation? Should household contacts be assessed? Is my vaccination protection up to date? Which symptoms mean I should return urgently?