Diphtheria can be a serious illness and sometimes fatal, especially in children, if it's not treated quickly. Vaccination can prevent it.

Diphtheria is rare in the UK because babies and children have been routinely vaccinated against it since the 1940s.

The best way to avoid diphtheria while travelling is to be fully vaccinated against it.

If you're travelling to a part of the world where there may be a risk of diphtheria, you may need a booster vaccination if you were last vaccinated against it more than 10 years ago.

Some parts of the world where there may be a risk include:

• Africa
• South America
• India
• south east Asia
• eastern Europe

You may be able to get a combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and polio free on the NHS. Ask at a GP surgery.

Places that have higher cases of diphtheria often change over time. For up-to-date information about the area you're visiting, check the TravelHealthPro country guides.

Diphtheria is a 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 include:

• a thick grey-white coating that may cover the back of your throat, nose and tongue
• a high temperature (fever)
• sore throat
• swollen glands in your neck
• difficulty breathing and swallowing

In places with poor hygiene, infection of the skin (cutaneous diphtheria) is more common.

If it's cutaneous diphtheria, it can cause:

• pus-filled blisters on your legs, feet and hands
• large ulcers surrounded by red, sore-looking skin

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

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

The main treatments for diphtheria are:

• antibiotics to kill the diphtheria bacteria
• medicines that stop the effects of the harmful substances (toxins) produced by the bacteria
• thoroughly cleaning any infected wounds if you have diphtheria affecting your skin

Treatment usually lasts 2 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 will also need to take antibiotics and may be given the diphtheria vaccine. A contact tracing team will get in touch with anyone who needs to be treated.