The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Diphtheria Information for the Public
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium, C. diphtheriae.
The disease is caused when the bacteria release a toxin, or poison, into a person's body.
The toxin kills healthy tissues and can cause many serious health problems.
-
Transmission (Spread)
People most commonly spread C. diphtheriae by coughing or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria.
Other people can get infected if they breathe in those droplets.
People can also get infected from touching open sores or ulcers caused by C. diphtheriae.
-
Prevention
The best way to prevent diphtheria is to get vaccinated. CDC recommends diphtheria vaccination for everyone.
The vaccine for diphtheria is part of the DTaP and TDaP vaccines, a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis.
DTaP is given to younger children and TDaP is given to older children and adults.
The routine schedule for DTaP vaccination for children is 5 doses given at ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15 through 18 months
- 4 through 6 years
-
Signs and Symptoms
Early symptoms of diphtheria may look similar to a cold:
- sore throat
- mild fever
- chills
Usually, the disease causes a thick coating at the back of the throat, which can make it difficult to breathe or swallow.
Diphtheria also affects the nose, larynx, eye, vagina, and skin.
-
Risk of Disease
- Before vaccination, diphtheria was one of the leading causes of illness and death among children.
- In the 1920s, there were 13,000-15,000 deaths each year from diphtheria.
- Universal childhood vaccination including diphtheria vaccine began in the 1940s.
- From 1996 to 2018, there have been 14 cases of diphtheria, and 1 death reported in the United States.
Diphtheria Surveillance and Trends | Diphtheria | CDC
-
Reporting
Diphtheria is a notifiable disease. A notifiable disease is one that doctors must report to state or local public health officials.
Public health officials track some diseases because they can spread easily, are serious, or happen often.
Notifiable diseases in Michigan:
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Condition
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Pathogen -
Questions About
Get answers to frequently asked questions about diphtheria and the vaccine used to prevent it.
Diphtheria: Questions and Answers (Immunize.org)
Ask The Experts About Vaccines: Diphtheria (Immunize.org)
Video: Which Adults Need a Tdap Vaccine? (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
Video: DTaP Vaccine - Vaccines and Your Baby (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
-
For More Information
Diphtheria vaccination
Video: DTaP Vaccine - Vaccines and Your Baby (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
About Diphtheria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Vaccination (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
How Vaccines Work
Video: How Do Vaccines Work? (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Spanish version: ¿Cómo funcionan las vacunas? (American Academy of Pediatrics)
-
Access Your Immunization RecordIf you have been immunized in the State of Michigan, you may be able to download your immunization record from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).
Visit the Michigan Immunization Portal to learn more or contact your healthcare provider.