An infectious disease spread by bacteria or germs that live in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person, diphtheria is easily passed to others through coughing and sneezing. Early symptoms are a sore throat, a slight fever and chills. Usually the disease develops in the throat and can make it hard to swallow. If not treated, or not treated in time, the bacteria may produce a powerful poison that can spread throughout the body causing serious complications such as heart failure or paralysis. For years, diphtheria killed many children in the United States and could again if children are not immunized.
Adults get continuing protection from diphtheria and tetanus in the same shot.
Due to the success of immunizations, there has not been a case of diphtheria reported in Illinois since 1985. It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids. This can happen by sharing a razor, toothbrush or needles to inject drugs, or through sexual contact. An infected pregnant woman can expose her newborn to this virus during birth. The virus stays in the liver of some people for the rest of their lives and can result in severe liver diseases or cancer.