Disease & Vaccine A–Z

Diseases beginning with A

U.S.-focused summaries with current official guidance links. For a diagnosis, personal vaccine schedule, pregnancy advice, or urgent symptoms, speak with a qualified clinician.

Adenovirus

Special-risk vaccine

Disease

A large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness, pink eye, or gastroenteritis.

Symptoms

Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, pink eye, or diarrhea and vomiting, depending on the virus type.

Typical duration

Often several days to about two weeks; severe illness can last longer.

How serious is it?

Usually mild, but pneumonia and other severe complications can occur, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Treatment & management

Usually rest, fluids, and symptom care. Severe cases need medical assessment; there is no routine adenovirus-specific antiviral treatment.

Vaccine: who and when?

Product: Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 Vaccine, Live, Oral (no trade name). It is a one-time oral dose of two tablets for eligible U.S. military personnel ages 17-50 and is not available to the general public.

Check the current CDC guidance for Adenovirus →

Anthrax

Special-risk vaccine

Disease

A rare but serious infection caused by Bacillus anthracis; illness differs by skin, inhaled, swallowed, or injected exposure.

Symptoms

May include a painless skin sore with a black center, fever, severe breathing symptoms, abdominal illness, or swelling.

Typical duration

Symptoms may appear from one day to more than two months after exposure, depending on the route.

How serious is it?

A medical emergency—especially inhalation, gastrointestinal, and injection anthrax.

Treatment & management

Prompt antibiotics are essential; severe illness may also require antitoxin and hospital care.

Vaccine: who and when?

Products: BioThrax for certain adults ages 18-65 at ongoing occupational risk, generally as a three-dose primary series with boosters; and CYFENDUS, a two-dose post-exposure series given two weeks apart together with recommended antibiotics. Public-health or occupational clinicians determine eligibility.

Check the current CDC guidance for Anthrax →

Cost and access: Patient cost varies by insurance, provider, location, and eligibility. Many recommended vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket cost under qualifying plans, and eligible children may receive vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program. CDC price lists are purchasing benchmarks—not guaranteed patient prices. CDC price and program context.

Last reviewed against official U.S. sources: September 5, 2026. This page provides general education, not medical advice.