Tetanus is also called lockjaw. If you have a cut that gets infected with the tetanus germ, you may get tetanus. The bacteria in the wound make a poison which causes the muscles of the body to go into spasms. It is particularly serious if the breathing muscles are affected.
Diphtheria is a very serious infection of the nose and throat.
The disease causes problems breathing. Sometimes it causes heart failure and paralysis. Of every 10 people who get diphtheria, one will die from it. Infected babies are even more likely to die. Some people carry the germ in their nose and throat without getting sick.