What should you know about typhoid and diphtheria?

Typhoid and diphtheria are different bacterial infections: typhoid usually affects the gut and bloodstream, while diphtheria often affects the throat and airways. Their symptoms, routes of exposure, treatment, and vaccination plans are not interchangeable.

Typhoid spreads mainly through food or water contaminated with bacteria from an infected person. It may cause a persistent fever, headache, weakness, abdominal discomfort, and changes in bowel habit. Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets or close contact and may cause a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and a thick coating in the throat that can interfere with breathing.

Both illnesses can become serious, but a sore throat is a presentation of diphtheria rather than evidence that an ordinary sore throat is diphtheria. Vaccination is a central way to reduce diphtheria risk; food, water, and hand hygiene help reduce typhoid exposure.

Contact a clinician if you have a persistent fever after travel, ongoing diarrhoea, severe weakness, or a sore throat with marked swelling or a membrane. Tell them about travel, food or water exposure, vaccination history, and contact with anyone diagnosed with either infection.

Do not share utensils or prepare food for others while an infectious illness is being assessed. Drink safe fluids, wash hands carefully, and take prescribed treatment exactly as directed. Antibiotic Treatment may be needed, but the medicine should be selected by a clinician rather than self-started.

Review Childhood Immunisation records if diphtheria protection is uncertain, including before travel or when caring for a young child.

Seek emergency help for difficulty breathing or swallowing, a rapidly enlarging neck, bluish lips, fainting, confusion, severe dehydration, blood in stool, or a fever with rapidly worsening weakness. Keep distance from others and phone ahead if diphtheria is suspected so infection-control advice can be arranged.

Ask which tests are needed, whether you should avoid work or food preparation, whether household contacts need advice, and whether your vaccination record needs updating. Ask how to complete treatment and when you can safely return to usual activities.