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Diphtheria is a disease that can occur not only in children, but also in adults. Diphtheria can still occur in adults, even though the person has received a vaccine to prevent diphtheria as a child. So, does this mean that adults should be vaccinated again? Is there a diphtheria vaccine for adults? Check out the following explanation.

Vaccines to prevent diphtheria in adults

Before discussing diphtheria immunization for adults, you need to know what diphtheria is. Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and usually affects the tonsils, throat, nose, and skin.

This disease spreads rapidly through airborne particles through coughing, sneezing, or laughing. In addition, these bacteria can also spread when you touch contaminated items.

Diphtheria symptoms in adults tend to be the same as those in children. The characteristics of diphtheria in adults can include sore throat, hoarseness, and breathing problems. Diphtheria can cause death if not treated immediately. Even so, this condition can be prevented by giving vaccines.

Vaccines to prevent diphtheria consist of four types given according to age groups, namely:

• DPT-HB-Hib (combination vaccine prevents diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and meningitis as well as pneumonia caused by Haemophylus influenzae type B)
• DT (diphtheria tetanus combination vaccine)
• Td (diphtheria tetanus combination vaccine)

In adults, diphtheria vaccine is available in combination with the prevention of other diseases, namely tetanus and pertussis (Tdap) or only with tetanus (Td). Tdap and Td contain diphtheria toxoid or toxin whose toxic effect has been attenuated by using a chemical called formaldehyde.

Various studies mentioned by the United States center for disease control and prevention, the CDC, stated that the vaccine was effective at preventing diphtheria, although not 100 percent. Various research results also show that a vaccine to prevent diphtheria can cause infection Corynebacterium diphtheriae tends to be mild and not fatal.

Why does the diphtheria vaccine need to be done in adults?

The emergence of diphtheria cases in adults is largely due to the absence of vaccines. Not only that, diphtheria in adults can also occur when the immunization status is incomplete since childhood.

That is why you need to make sure whether you have received the diphtheria vaccine or not. If you haven't, you still need to be immunized again to prevent getting this disease.

So, what if you have been vaccinated, but you still get diphtheria as an adult? Well, even though you have been vaccinated, your immunity against diphtheria may decrease over time.

Even if you have undergone a complete diphtheria immunization since childhood, you still will not acquire immunity to diphtheria for life. You need to repeat diphtheria immunization every 10 years.

When should the vaccine to prevent diphtheria be given to adults?

Ideally, the diphtheria vaccine is given in three doses from two years of age to 18 years of age (5 years, 10-12 years, and 18 years of age). After that, this vaccine will be even more effective when given every 10 years for a lifetime.

This is because the vaccine is only able to provide protection for 10 years, so after 10 years it needs to be given booster or amplifier. This is why you need to make sure whether your immunization status is complete or not. If you don't think so, immediately get the diphtheria vaccine to prevent diphtheria.

According to the CDC, the diphtheria vaccine is given at the age of 19-64 years in one dose. The following is the schedule for administering diphtheria vaccine for adults:

• Adults who have never had the Td or incomplete immunization status, given 1 dose of Tdap vaccine followed by Td vaccine as a booster every 10 years.
• Adults who are not immunized at all the first two doses are given 4 weeks apart and the third dose is given after 6 to 12 months from the second dose
• Adults who have not completed three doses of the Td vaccine the primary series is given the remaining unfulfilled doses
• Pregnant mother a dose of Tdap, preferably in early pregnancy

If there is a person with suspected diphtheria in your neighborhood, you should immediately ask for revaccination even though you had been vaccinated as a child. This aims to increase your immunity from diphtheria transmission.

Diphtheria vaccine side effects in adults

Diphtheria vaccination in adults is safe and does not have significant health risks, let alone endanger life safety. However, as with medicines, vaccines also have side effects that usually appear within 1 to 3 days after immunization.

However, it is very rare to find a severe reaction or allergy. Vaccines containing tetanus toxoid such as the DPT vaccine can indeed cause brain problems, but this case is rare.

Side effects that appear after immunizing diphtheria are usually mild and can subside on their own within a few days, including:

• Mild fever
• Pain and swelling in the part of the body that received the vaccine
• The skin at the injection site turns red
• Fatigue
• Mild muscle pain
• Dizzy
• Stomach pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

Serious side effects

Although it is rare, you may experience serious side effects after immunizing adults for diphtheria. A severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction characterized by difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure. Apart from that, other serious side effects are:

• Seizures
• High fever
• Joint pain or stiff muscles
• Lung infection

If you show signs of a serious side effect like the one above, or you are concerned about the symptoms of an unusual side effect, seek emergency medical help immediately or see a doctor for appropriate treatment.

Checks before vaccination

The side effects of the diphtheria vaccine for adults may appear heavier if you are vaccinated if you are sick or when your body is not too fit. Consult your doctor again if prior to the vaccine you experience a number of health problems such as:

• Has a fever with a body temperature that exceeds 38.5 ℃
• Experiencing sudden seizures or other nervous system problems
• Feeling pain or swelling in the neck, making it difficult to swallow
• Have Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which is a disorder of the immune system
• Have experienced allergies such as difficulty breathing or other reactions after immunization

Vaccination should not be done if you have an allergy to vaccine ingredients. You can first consult with your doctor to find out whether the vaccine content is safe for you or not.