Diseases and the Vaccines that Can Prevent Them

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include an itchy, blister-like rash over the entire body. The disease is highly contagious and spreads through direct or airborne contact with the virus.

Learn more about chickenpox and the vaccine.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. It can be very contagious and spreads quickly. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. Some people including those with minor or no symptoms will develop Post-COVID Conditions – also called “Long COVID.”

Learn more about COVID-19 and the vaccine.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria, which releases toxins in the body. Symptoms include weakness, sore throat, mild fever, and swollen glands in the neck. The disease is spread through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.

Learn more about diphtheria and the vaccine.

Hepatitis A is a contagious disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. The virus spreads through infected poop. You can get hepatitis A if you put something in your mouth (food, water, hands) that has infected poop on or in it. The item can have the virus on it even if it looks clean.

Learn more about hepatitis A and the vaccine.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment, or during pregnancy or delivery.

Learn more about hepatitis B and the vaccine.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a contagious disease caused by bacteria called H. influenzae. Symptoms may include fever, tiredness, and nausea. The disease is spread by coughing and sneezing.

Learn more about Hib and the vaccine.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that causes genital, oral, and skin infections. It spreads easily through intimate skin-to-skin contact. People of all genders can get HPV and spread it to others without realizing they have the virus.

Learn more about HPV and the vaccine.

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and cough. The disease is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.

Learn more about influenza and the vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, watery eyes, and full body rash. Infected people spread measles by coughing or sneezing. Measles virus may remain in the air for 2 hours after an infected person has left.

Mumps is a highly contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms include puffy cheeks, a tender swollen jaw, fever, headache, and muscle aches. The disease is spread by direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets.

Rubella, also called German measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include a red rash that starts on the face and moves to the rest of the body, fever, and headache. The disease is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Learn more about measles, mumps, and rubella and the vaccine.

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These illnesses are often severe and deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (septicemia).

Learn more about meningitis and the vaccine.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease is spread through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.

Learn more about pertussis and the vaccine.

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria known as pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae). The most common infections from this bacteria are lung infection (pneumonia), bloodstream infection (bacteremia), and swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

Learn more about pneumococcal and the vaccine.

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. Most people will not have visible symptoms, but a quarter of people will experience flu-like symptoms. A smaller amount of people will develop meningitis and paralysis. The disease is spread by contact with infected poop, or through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Learn more about polio and the vaccine.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially in infants and older adults.

Learn more about respiratory syncytial virus and the vaccine.

Rotavirus is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Rotavirus causes watery diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children. Rotavirus is transmitted from an infected person’s poop (feces). You can get rotavirus if you put something in your mouth (food, objects, hands) that has infected poop on or in it. The item can have the virus on it even if it looks clean.

Learn more about rotavirus and the vaccine.

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by varicella zoster virus. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. The virus can reactivate many years later and cause shingles.

Learn more about shingles and the vaccine.

Tetanus is a disease caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria. The bacteria are usually found in soil, dust, and manure and enter the body through breaks in the skin. It is not known to spread from person to person. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and breathing and spasms in the muscles of the jaw, often called “lockjaw.”

Learn more about tetanus and the vaccine.