Chickenpox and shingles

Chickenpox, a viral disease, causes an itchy and sometimes painful rash on the whole body. Chickenpox spreads easily to people who haven’t had it or weren’t vaccinated against it.

The virus that causes chickenpox also causes another painful rash called shingles. The shingles vaccine is recommended for:

• People 50 and older
• People 19 and older with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised)

Make an appointment for a shingles vaccine.

Diphtheria

This bacterial infection often damages tissues in the nose and throat. If it gets into the blood, it can damage the heart, nerves and kidneys. It can also infect the skin. Diphtheria spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

There is a diphtheria vaccine. Make an appointment to get vaccinated.

Hepatitis

This viral disease damages the liver. The most common types are called hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis can spread through:

• Eating or drinking something that contains even a microscopic amount of stool from an infected person who didn’t wash their hands.
• Sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes or razors.
• Sharing needles, syringes and other medical items.
• Sex with an infected person.
• Being born to an infected person.

About 97,800 people get hepatitis each year in the U.S. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic (ongoing) conditions and can cause liver cancer.

Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B. Make an appointment to get vaccinated.

Measles

This viral disease has symptoms that include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Conjunctivitis (eye swelling or infection)
• Rash

There is a measles vaccine. Make an appointment to get vaccinated. 

Mumps

This viral disease spreads through close contact, especially repeated contact. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache or muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Lack of appetite
• Swollen salivary glands (cheeks and jaw)

There is a mumps vaccine. Make an appointment to get vaccinated.

Polio

This contagious viral disease has symptoms that vary from person to person:

• No visible symptoms (most people)
• Flu-like symptoms (about one in four people)
• Serious symptoms such as:
  • Meningitis, an infection of the brain or spinal cord
  • Weakness or paralysis (can’t move) in the arms, legs or both

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

This viral disease infects the nose, throat and lungs. In babies and young children, RSV is the top cause of serious lung disease.

Cold symptoms usually appear first. They may be followed by symptoms of lung infection. Learn more about RSV.

The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for:

• Certain pregnant women
• Babies
• Adults ages 50 to 74 at higher risk of severe RSV
• Adults ages 75 or older

Make an appointment to get vaccinated.

Rubella

In most people, this viral disease causes mild symptoms. But in unvaccinated pregnant people, it can cause a miscarriage or serious birth defects.

Make an appointment to get the rubella vaccine.

Tetanus (lockjaw)

This bacterial infection makes muscles tighten, especially in the jaw, which can cause breathing and swallowing problems. Tetanus does not spread from person to person. People usually get tetanus through broken skin.

There is a tetanus vaccine. Make an appointment to get vaccinated. 

Whooping cough (pertussis)

This bacterial infection starts like a cold. In children and adults, it moves to violent coughing fits that can last up to 10 weeks. These coughing fits can cause:

• A high-pitched “whoop” sound
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Trouble breathing

Babies may not cough. Instead, they may:

• Struggle to breathe
• Turn a bluish or gray tint (depending on skin color)
• Stop breathing briefly (apnea)

Unvaccinated pregnant people should get the whooping cough vaccine to protect their babies, who cannot get it until 2 months. A CDC study released in February 2023 found that vaccinations during pregnancy helped prevent whooping cough in newborns. The CDC recommends getting the vaccine between the 27th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. 

Make an appointment to get the whooping cough vaccine.