There were many preventable diseases that were common before widespread vaccination programs began. Brief descriptions of common vaccine preventable diseases are listed below. Information provided by the California State University Office of the Chancellor through Executive Order 803.
| Immunization | Description |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death. |
| Hepatitis A | A serious liver disease that is usually spread by close personal contact or by eating contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A can cause mild, "flu-like" illness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) and severe stomach pains and diarrhea. Teens and adults are most likely to have a severe case. |
| Hepatitis B | Another serious liver disease that can cause short-term (acute) appetite loss, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and/or pain in muscles, joints, and stomach. It also can cause long-term (chronic) illness that leads to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death. |
| Human Papillomavirus | A virus that causes genital warts and a variety of cancers, and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. |
| Influenza (flu) | A contagious viral disease spread through coughing or sneezing. Influenza can lead to pneumonia, sinus or ear infections, worsening of chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, and even death. |
| Measles | This virus causes a rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and even death. |
| Meningococcal Disease | A typically severe bacterial infection that can cause hearing loss, learning problems, brain damage, or loss of limbs. About 1 in 10 people with meningococcal disease will die from it. The disease is spread when people live in close contact or through other close contact such as partying or kissing. Teens and young adults have a higher risk for meningococcal disease. |
| Mumps | This virus causes fever, headache, swollen glands and painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries. It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering) and, rarely, death. |
| Pertussis | Also called whopping cough, causes prolonged coughing spells for weeks to months that can end in vomiting. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death. |
| Polio | A disease caused by a virus which can cause paralysis (cannot move arms or legs). It can kill people who get it, usually by paralyzing the muscles that help them breathe. |
| Pneumococcal Disease | A leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. It causes many health problems including pneumonia, meningitis, blood infections, sinus infections, ear infections, and even death. |
| Rubella | Also known as German Measles, this virus usually causes mild fever and a rash. However, if a woman gets rubella while pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could have serious birth defects. |
| Tetanus | Also called Lockjaw, this is a painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the person cannot open their mouth or swallow. Tetanus can be fatal. |
| Tuberculosis | A disease cause by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can infect any part of the body, such as kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly over several months, tuberculosis can be fatal. |
| Varicella | Also known as Chickenpox, this virus causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. While chickenpox is usually a mild illness, it also can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death. |