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Definition
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by fever, jaundice, kidney failure, and bleeding.Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Yellow fever is caused by an arbovirus, a small virus transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes. This disease is common in South America and in sub-Saharan Africa. Humans and monkeys are both hosts in the transmission cycle of this infection.
While yellow fever can affect individuals of all ages, the elderly have a higher risk of severe infection. If a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms usually develop three to six days later.
Yellow fever can be divided into three stages:
Symptoms
Signs and tests
A person with advanced yellow fever may show signs of liver failure, renal failure, and shock.
If you have symptoms of yellow fever, tell your health care provider if you have traveled to areas where the disease is known to thrive. The diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests that reveal the virus, viral antigens, or antibodies.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment for symptoms may include intravenous fluids, blood products for severe bleeding, and dialysis for renal failure.Expectations (prognosis)
Yellow fever is a severe infection that can cause death in up to 40% of affected individuals.Complications
Calling your health care provider
Seek medical attention at least 10-14 days before travelling to an endemic area for yellow fever to determine whether you should be vaccinated against the disease.
Notify your health care provider right away if you or your child develop fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or jaundice, especially if you have traveled to an endemic area for yellow fever.
Prevention
If you will be traveling to an area where yellow fever is common, use mosquito repellents, wear clothing that fully covers your body, and sleep in screened housing. Notify your health care provider at least 10-14 days prior to travel to determine whether you should be vaccinated against yellow fever.
Update Date: 12/24/2002 Updated by: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |