In Africa and South America, yellow fever is a virus transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. If left untreated, it can cause severe illness and even death. A brief overview of yellow fever, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, is provided in this blog post.
Causes
Aedes or Haemagogus mosquitoes bite people infected with yellow fever viruses, which belong to the Flaviviridae family. Humans become infected by the virus when bitten by infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever is endemic in areas where monkeys and mosquitoes circulate, and when humans are bitten by infected mosquitoes, they become infected.
Symptoms
Yellow fever symptoms typically appear three to six days after infection and can range from mild to severe.
-
A sudden onset of high fever, often exceeding 38.5°C (101.3°F).
-
Shivering and cold sensations caused by chills.
-
A persistent and severe headache that is often accompanied by back pain.
-
Back and knee aches: Generalized muscle pain.
-
It is possible to feel nauseous and vomit.
-
A yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by liver involvement, giving rise to the term "yellow fever."
-
In severe cases, bleeding may occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose yellow fever, healthcare providers may ask about recent travel to endemic regions and perform physical examinations to determine what symptoms are characteristic. Yellow fever can be confirmed by laboratory tests, including blood tests and viral detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Treatment
Treatment of yellow fever primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and providing supportive care. Treatment options may include:
-
During severe dehydration, intravenous fluids are administered to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance.
-
To relieve fever and muscle pain, analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) may be prescribed.
-
Patients with severe yellow fever may need hospitalization for close monitoring and intensive care, especially if they develop complications such as organ failure or bleeding.
Prevention
Yellow fever is primarily prevented through vaccination and mosquito control. Key preventive measures include:
-
In areas where yellow fever is endemic, the yellow fever vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection.
-
Controlling mosquito breeding sites, using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and sleeping under mosquito nets can reduce the risk of mosquito bites and transmission of the virus.
