Vaccines and the Diseases They Prevent
We all want to protect our children from getting sick. But it can be hard to keep track of all the different vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Vaccines do such a great job of preventing illness that it’s easy to forget what life was like before vaccines. You might wonder what vaccine-preventable diseases look like and how easily they can spread.
Click on a disease below to learn about:
- The disease and the vaccine that protects against it
- How the disease is spread
- Symptoms and any long-term effects from infection
- How vaccination has helped lower disease rates
- Possible side effects of each vaccine
COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral infection. It can cause flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can lead to Long COVID, a range of ongoing health problems that can last for months or years. Some people develop heart inflammation during or after COVID infection.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to severe breathing problems, nerve damage, paralysis, and heart failure.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a highly contagious infection that attacks the liver. It spreads through close contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food or drink.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes infection in the liver. It is spread through blood and bodily fluids. Some infections can lead to chronic hepatitis, permanent liver damage, or cancer.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial infection. Hib can lead to a variety of infections including pneumonia (lung infection), bloodstream infection (sepsis), meningitis (brain swelling), and epiglottitis (throat swelling).
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection spread through direct contact. Some types of HPV can lead to cervical and head and neck cancers. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts.
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu can lead to pneumonia (lung infection) and sinus infections. It can also make medical conditions like asthma or diabetes worse.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. It can cause flu-like symptoms, inflamed eyes, white spots in the throat, full-body rash, and high fever. It can also lead to pneumonia and meningitis (brain infection) or brain swelling.
Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection. It can cause infection of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and blood infection (sepsis). It can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention.
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can affect many parts of the body. The main symptom of mumps is swollen, painful salivary glands under the chin. Mumps can also cause inflammation of the testicles.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial disease. It causes violent coughing spells that make it hard to eat, drink, or breathe. It is especially severe in young infants.
Pneumococcal disease is caused by pneumococcus bacteria. This bacteria can cause ear, sinus and lung infections. It can also cause sepsis (infection in the blood) and meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord).
Polio is an extremely contagious viral infection. It causes flu-like symptoms and can sometimes affect the brain stem and spinal cord. It can lead to meningitis (brain infection) and long-lasting weakness or paralysis.
Rotavirus is a viral infection of the stomach and intestines. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children and it can cause dehydration.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious viral infection. It can cause flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, and wheezing. In serious cases, it can cause lung inflammation and pneumonia (lung infection). Severe RSV is most common in infants and older adults.
Rubella (German measles) is a contagious viral disease. It can cause fever, rash, swollen glands, and arthritis. Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or birth defects.
Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that comes from the environment. It affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle tightening all over the body. It can lead to breathing problems, inability to eat, and seizures.
Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection. It causes a blistering rash that can cover the body. It can also lead to pneumonia and brain swelling. The virus stays in the body and can cause shingles infection later in life.