Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Page content: Diphtheria | Tetanus | Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | Poliomyelitis (Polio) | DTP immunisation | Possible side effects of immunisation | Pre-immunisation checklist | National Immunisation Program Schedule for Victoria | In your language
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by bacteria which are found in the mouth, throat and nose. Diphtheria causes a membrane to grow around the inside of the throat. This can make it difficult to swallow, breathe and can even lead to suffocation.
The bacteria produce a poison which can spread around the body and cause serious complications such as paralysis and heart failure. Around 10 percent of people who contract diphtheria die from it.
Diphtheria can be caught through coughs and sneezes from an infected person.
Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by bacteria which are present in soils, dust and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a wound which may be as small as a pin prick. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person.
Tetanus is an often fatal disease which attacks the nervous system. It causes muscle spasms first felt in the neck and jaw muscles. Tetanus can lead to breathing difficulties, painful convulsions and abnormal heart rhythms.
Because of the effective immunisation, tetanus is now rare in Australia, but it still occurs in adults who have never been immunised against the disease or who have not had their booster vaccines.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease which affects the air passages and breathing.
The disease causes severe coughing spasms. Between these spasms, the child gasps for breath. Coughing spasms are often followed by vomiting and the cough can last for months.
Pertussis is most serious in babies under 12 months of age and often requires admission to hospital. Pertussis can lead to complications such as haemorrhage, convulsions, pneumonia, coma, inflammation of the brain, permanent brain damage and long term lung damage. Around 1 in every 200 children under 6 months of age who catches pertussis will die.
Pertussis can be caught through coughs and sneezes from an infected person. Parents and family members are the main source of infection for babies.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Polio may cause mild symptoms or very severe illness. It is a virus which affects the digestive and nervous systems. It causes fever, vomiting and muscle stiffness and can affect the nerves, causing permanent crippling.
The disease can paralyse breathing and swallowing muscles, leading to death. Between 2 percent and 5 percent of people with polio die from it and about half of all patients who survive suffer permanent paralysis.
Polio can be caught if the faeces of an infected person contaminates food, water or hands.
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis/Polio immunisation
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio can be prevented with a safe and effective combination vaccine. Several injections are needed before good protection is provided.
The diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine contains a small amount of diphtheria and tetanus toxins, which are modified to make them harmless. It also contains purified parts of the pertussis bacterium and 3 types of inactivated polio viruses with small amounts of antibiotics and preservative.
Possible side effects of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio Vaccine
Reactions to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine are much less frequent than the complications of the diseases.
Common Side Effects:
- Irritable, crying, unsettled and generally unhappy
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Low grade fever
- Soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site
- A temporary small lump at the injection site
- Muscle aches
Extremely Rare Side Effect:
- Hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (HHE)
Infant may show signs of paleness, limpness and be unresponsive. This may occur one to 48 hours following vaccination. The whole episode may last from a few minutes to 36 hours. Follow-up of children with HHE shows no long-term neurological or other side effects. - Severe allergic reaction
If mild reactions do occur, they may last 1 to 2 days. The side effects can be reduced by:
- Drinking extra fluids
- Not overdressing
- Placing a cold, wet cloth on the sore injection site
- Giving your child paracetamol to reduce any discomfort (note the recommended dose for the age of your child).
If reactions are severe or persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor or hospital.
Pre-immunisation checklist
Before your child is immunised, tell the doctor or nurse if any of the following apply:
- Are unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5?C)
- Have had a severe reaction to any vaccine
- Have a severe allergy to any vaccine component (for example, neomycin)
National Immunisation Program Schedule for Victoria
The National Immunisation Program Schedule provides free diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis vaccine to children at 4 years of age.
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis/IPV (104kb, pdf)
Diphtheria, Tetanus (ADT) (80kb, pdf)
In your language
This information is also available in the following languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Turkish, Vietnamese.
Immunisation information in your language.
We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the Department of Health & Ageing for this information.