Pathogen
The bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces a toxin that damages heart, nerves and kidneys.
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Transmission
Droplet infection via coughing/sneezing or close skin contact (wound diphtheria).
Clinical picture
Severe throat inflammation with grey-white coatings, neck swelling ("bull neck"), shortness of breath. Toxin-induced myocarditis. Untreated lethality 5–10 %.
Vaccine protection
Diphtheria toxoid vaccine, combined with tetanus/pertussis as a 6-fold or Tdap vaccine.
Who should be vaccinated?
Everyone: primary immunisation in infancy, booster every 10 years.
Vaccination schedule (STIKO)
- 1. Dosis (2 Monate)
- 2. Dosis (4 Monate)
- 3. Dosis (11 Monate)
- Auffrischung (5–6 J.)
- Auffrischung (9–16 J.)
Booster: Alle 10 Jahre, kombiniert mit Tetanus (Td) bzw. Tdap.
Further information on Diphtheria: RKI vaccines A–Z.
