What does sore throat feel like with diphtheria?

Diphtheria can inflame the throat and produce a thick grey or white coating over the tonsils or nearby tissues. The coating may bleed if disturbed, so do not try to scrape it away. Neck glands may swell and the voice can become muffled. Fever, weakness and difficulty swallowing may accompany the pain. Vaccination lowers the risk, but vaccination history and examination are still relevant when symptoms raise concern.

Contact urgent medical services or a clinician immediately if diphtheria is possible, particularly after close contact with someone diagnosed with it or when vaccination is incomplete. Keep distance from others, avoid sharing cups and utensils, and cover coughs while arranging advice. Do not self-treat a throat coating by scraping it. A healthcare team may need to arrange testing, specific medicines and advice for close contacts.

Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, rapidly increasing neck swelling, faintness or inability to swallow saliva. Diphtheria can obstruct the airway and affect the heart or nerves, so suspected illness needs same-day professional assessment even if the pain seems manageable. Follow instructions about isolation until a clinician says it is safe to resume close contact.

Could this coating or swelling require urgent treatment? Is my vaccination record up to date? Do household or workplace contacts need assessment or preventive treatment?