Three-in-one diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines protect you from infectious toxins. The deadly virus can paralyze you. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent infection. See all NHS Vaccinations.
In countries of high risk, it may be necessary to get the combined booster before travelling. These include countries that have poor sanitation and hygiene standards.
There are very few cases of diphtheria, tetanus, or polio in the UK. As part of routine healthcare, babies and children receive vaccines at a very young age. Early vaccination ensures protection from various diseases.
The NHS recommends specific vaccination times. All babies and children should receive vaccinations on a regular basis. To learn more about the vaccination schedule by the NHS in the UK, See more.
Besides lung and throat problems, diphtheria can cause heart failure, paralysis, or even death.
As vaccines against diphtheria are available in the UK, the infection is rare. If you travel abroad, it is still possible to catch the infection. In countries with low hygiene standards, the likelihood of catching diphtheria is higher. In countries with low hygiene standards, the likelihood of catching diphtheria is higher.
Diphtheria is treatable, but if it is not treated quickly, especially in children, it can be lethal. Diphtheria vaccination is recommended for infants, children, young adults, and adults by the NHS and Westbury Chemist.
There are two types of diphtheria.
We will run through each in more detail later in this article.
Microscopic view of Diphtheria
Several strains of bacteria cause diphtheria that produces toxins in the body (poison). Poison can lead to heart failure, paralysis and even death when it affects your body. Toxins (also called Corynebacterium) released by bacteria cause diphtheria.
In general, bacteria alone are not very dangerous, but things become dangerous when a virus invades them. Infecting the bacteria with the virus produces a poisonous toxin. The severity of the disease results from the poison being released.
A grey or blue membrane forms around the tonsils and throat after infection, making it deadly.
The severity of the symptoms of diphtheria depends on the type of infection. A life-threatening diphtheria infection, but, can result in severe symptoms.
Until Diphtheria symptoms appear, infected people are passive carriers. These people have the disease but are not showing symptoms.
A cutaneous (skin) diphtheria is a type of ulcer. Ulcers can form from a diphtheria infection. The ulcer appears as small blisters and then breaks down to form a bulging ulcer.
There are two types of ulcers, single or clustered, usually affecting the hands, feet, and legs. At first, Cutaneous Diphtheria is painful, then over time, it becomes a brown membrane with a pink-to-purple surrounding.
For the ulcer to heal, it may take up to three months. You may develop scars after the ulcer has healed.
Touching infected ulcers or open sores can spread Cutaneous Diphtheria infections.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio combined vaccinations, protect people from life-threatening diseases.
Typically, the Diphtheria vaccination is given to children from:
It’s recommended that travellers receive a diphtheria vaccination. You may need a booster vaccine if it’s been more than ten years since your last diphtheria vaccination.
According to WHO (World Health Organisation), in 2018, they reported a rise in cases in the following countries.
| Indonesia | Bangladesh | Myanmar | Vietnam |
| Venezuela | Haiti | South Africa | Yemen |
See all up to date information from different countries by checking TravelHealthPro
Our chemist in Streatham offers the vaccination for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. Book an appointment at our chemist if you are local to the Streatham, Streatham Common, Streatham Hill area.
Consult your local chemist or pharmacy for available vaccinations if you’re not local to us.
Diphtheria is rare unless someone with the disease spreads it. Diphtheria is likely to occur in countries with poor hygiene regardless of age group.
There are still risks outside tropical areas, so you should take precautions.
Diphtheria can infect parts of your body that involve breathing and the skin. Infections can take 2-3 days to develop. You will notice a build-up of grey matter at the back of your throat and/or in your nose.
When the grey membrane forms, it’s difficult to breathe and swallow. Also, we mentioned a type of diphtheria that affects the skin. Brown ulcers cover the body when diphtheria cutaneous occurs. Despite the pain, ulcers are easier to treat than respiratory infections.
There are three main types of treatments for overcoming the effects of Diphtheria.
The NHS recommend that the treatments usually last 2-3 weeks, and skin ulcers can take 2-3 months to heal with the possibility of leaving scars.
A bacteria enters your body and produces poison, causing Lockjaw or tetanus. A Lockjaw sufferer experiences difficulty opening his or her mouth or swallowing.
Tetanus is rare in England because of the UK vaccination programme. Unvaccinated people are more vulnerable to infection. For more information, consult the NHS vaccination schedule.
In the UK, people can receive tetanus vaccinations from an early age. NHS vaccination schedule lets parents know when to have their children vaccinated.
Usually, within 8-16 weeks after your child’s birth, they will have their first three doses of the tetanus vaccine. Also, two booster shots at the age of 3 and 4 months and the last at 14 years of age. See a copy of the NHS tetanus vaccination schedule applicable here in the UK.
| Dose | Vaccine | Age |
|---|---|---|
| First 3 Doses | 6-in-1 Vaccine | 8 Weeks, 12 Weeks, 16 Weeks |
| Booster | 4-in-1 Booster Vaccine | 3 Years and 4 Months |
| Final Booster | 3-in-1 Booster Vaccine | 14 Years |
Tetanus vaccination is essential before travelling overseas. When your last Tetanus vaccine was more than ten years ago, you must have a 3-in-1 booster.
You’re protected against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio at once. You should get as many tetanus shots as possible before you travel if you have not had the vaccine. Wait a month between shots. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Tetanus can be treated in three different ways, each of which depends on the infection’s severity. Let me explain,
1. Doctors may think there’s a chance you can develop Tetanus. At which point they’d clean any detectable wounds thoroughly and give you an immunisation shot known as tetanus immunoglobulin (for the science lovers).
Tetanus immunoglobulin contains antibodies, and these antibodies stop the toxin (poison) released in your body by the infection from taking effect. It’s effective and works immediately. The antibodies aren’t a replacement for taking the vaccine but a temporary measure to get you up and running again.
How do you beat it long term? Take the vaccine! Book Vaccination
2. Not fully immunised against Tetanus, not having taken your vaccinations or completing the full course leaves you vulnerable and exposed to getting unwell because of Tetanus. As well as the antibiotics, you’ll need the tetanus vaccine.
3. Developed symptoms of tetanus
With all vaccinations, there are always some side effects to them. Sometimes they’re mild, and sometimes they can be a bit more severe. We’ll break down the side effects of taking the tetanus vaccination for the tetanus vaccination.
Non-vaccination against Tetanus has a far higher risk than vaccination against Tetanus.
Consult your GP or chemist for more information on the side effects of the tetanus vaccination.
A contagious, severe, and transmittable virus, Polio comes from the Poliovirus. Paralysis and damage to the spinal cord are the results of the poliovirus virus.
Vaccinations have reduced the threat of Poliovirus in the UK. At birth, children receive vaccinations, followed by booster shots. But, there is a risk that Polio could return to the UK.
There is no cure for poliovirus. Once contracted, it is irreversible. Get vaccinated if you are planning to travel to countries with a high risk of the disease.
There are three different ways between people. The common way to get the Poliovirus is by
A sneeze or cough or contact with faeces containing the virus can spread the illness.
If you have not had the vaccine against the Poliovirus, you may need extra precautions.
If the virus makes its way into your mouth, it can travel to your throat and bowels, where it starts to reproduce. The virus can enter your bloodstream, compromise your nervous system, and lead to paralysis.
The Poliovirus does not manifest symptoms immediately, and it can take up to a week for any symptoms to occur while being infectious the whole time. But, infected people can still spread Polio to others.
The NHS provide a handy schedule for the required vaccinations for children, including newborns.
There are two types of Polio vaccinations, oral polio vaccine (OPV) and injection polio vaccine (IPV). The NHS offer vaccinations in 5 doses by injections.
Here is a copy of the NHS polio vaccination schedule:
| Dose | Vaccine | Age |
|---|---|---|
| First 3 Doses | 6-in-1 Vaccine | 8 Weeks, 12 Weeks, 16 Weeks |
| Booster | 4-in-1 Booster Vaccine | 3 Years and 4 Months |
| Final Booster | 3-in-1 Booster Vaccine | 14 Years |
If you are not vaccinated, the polio vaccine is still available for those who have not. In the case of someone who has had Polio before but not the vaccination, the NHS still recommends it.
The vaccination protects you against all three types of Poliovirus. If you’ve had the infection before, then you’re only protected from one of these types of Polio. Consult your doctor for more information on this.
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