Diphtheria symptoms: Everything you need to know after case confirmed at UK school

After a case of the potentially deadly Victorian-era disease diphtheria was confirmed in a UK primary school, parents are being warned of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

The UK Health Security Agency said one person had tested positive for diphtheria at Wigmore All good in Luton. Health officials have stepped in since the case emerged, taking action for people the youngster has been in contact with. They also say the person affected "has been on treatment and is recovering well".

People can be given antibiotics and vaccinations to prevent the spread of the infection, though the UKHSA stressed that the risk of transmission is low. They are also carrying out a full risk assessment with all close contacts, including classmates and parents being informed.

Only one case has been confirmed© Getty Images

The NHS reports that over the last 10 years, the number of diphtheria cases in England has increased from an average of two to 11 cases per year. Diphtheria remains a relatively rare infection in the UK due to the success of the routine immunisation programme introduced in 1942. Before the vaccination programme the average annual number of cases was about 60,000 per year, with about 4,000 deaths.

Uptake across the UK for the vaccinations is high; it is included in the 6-in-1 doses given to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age, and then again at 3 years and four months in the 4-in-1 pre-school booster. Diphtheria can be a serious illness and sometimes fatal, especially in children, if it’s not treated quickly.

How diphtheria is spread

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection. It's spread by coughs and sneezes, or through close contact with someone who is infected. You can also get it by sharing items, such as cups, cutlery, clothing or bedding, with an infected person.

Symptoms of diphtheria

Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after becoming infected. Symptoms of diphtheria include:

In countries with poor hygiene, infection of the skin (cutaneous diphtheria) is more common. If it's cutaneous diphtheria, it can cause:

Get urgent medical help if:

You have symptoms of diphtheria and:

Diphtheria needs to be treated quickly in hospital to help prevent serious complications, such as breathing difficulties or heart problems.

Treatments for diphtheria

The main treatments are:

Treatment usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Any skin ulcers usually heal within 2 to 3 months, but may leave a scar.

People who have been in close contact with someone who has diphtheria may also need to take antibiotics, or may be given a dose of the diphtheria vaccination.