Consult expert advice.
Diphtheria antitoxin is only used in suspected cases of diphtheria in a hospital setting
Diphtheria antitoxin is based on horse serum and therefore severe, immediate anaphylaxis occurs more commonly than with human immunoglobulin products
In most cutaneous infections, large-scale toxin absorption is unlikely and therefore the risk of giving antitoxin is usually considered substantially greater than any benefit
Antibiotic treatment is needed to eliminate the organism and to prevent spread. The antibiotics of choice are erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin or penicillin
The immunisation history of cases of toxigenic diphtheria should be established. Partially or unimmunised individuals should complete immunisation according to the UK schedule
In the case of any outbreak then any carriers should be identified and treated with a one week course of penicillin or erythromycin. They should be kept in isolation until 6 daily throat swabs are negative.
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