Yellow Fever Demystified: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Yellow fever is a common infectious disease. It is not usually lethal but might have certain serious complications. The disease can have symptoms that range from mild to severe. Most patients show slight or no symptoms. Hence right diagnosis at the right time is important.

This blog sheds light on the details of the disease and ways to treat it. 

Symptoms of Yellow Fever 

Yellow fever symptoms develop within 3 to 6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but they can also appear after a longer period. 

Some yellow fever symptoms are similar to flu, such as:

•  High temperature 
  
•  Headache 
  
• Feeling or being sick 
  
• Aches and pains 
  
• Loss of appetite 
  
• Feeling generally unwell
• These symptoms usually take between 3 to 4 days to show.

Some of the more serious symptoms include:  

• Pale and yellowing of the skin and the whites of eyes (jaundice) 
  
• Dark pee 
  
• Stomach pain 
  
• Conjunctival haemorrhage or haematemesis or haemoptysis – if you are having blood-streaked or frank bloody vomit, or breathlessness with blood patches – if you are coughing up blood 

These serious symptoms may be lethal, yet it is simpler to treat them in the early stages.

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Causes of Yellow Fever

The yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus or flavivirus. It is acquired during contact with an infected mosquito. It has also been found that the disease cannot be transmitted from one person to the other. Some of the common causes:

1. Mosquito Bites: Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected Aedes or Haemagogus species of mosquito that has the virus. 
   
2. Urban Transmission: Human beings are the main host of this virus. Hence, crowded areas are most prone to the spread of yellow fever.
   
3. Jungle Transmission: Jungles are the main habitats of mosquitoes. People can get Yellow fever through bites from an infected mosquito present in the jungle.
   
4. Travel to Endemic Areas: The disease poses a risk of the virus if you have not been vaccinated. Hence, one must get vaccinated before travelling to an endemic area. 

Prevention and Vaccination

The vaccine is also recommended to prevent yellow fever, and according to the WHO, a single immunisation is needed for an individual throughout their lifespan. According to CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the vaccine is recommended for anyone of nine months and above who is travelling into, or residing in, the much wider areas of Africa or South America where statistically the risk of yellow fever is higher. Some countries insist on vaccination cards for all people intending to visit their country. 

Here are some other ways to prevent yellow fever:

• Vector control: 

Reduce sources of standing water, ie, using larvicides on containers used to store water. 

• Protect against mosquito bites: 

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and socks, as well as other clothing and gear. Insect repellents containing DEET (Chemical name: N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) should be used. Soothe your child with a sleeping bag. Make them sleep under a mosquito net. Minimise contact with mosquitoes by not going out during the evening and night.

Prevention of yellow fever depends mainly on the use of the yellow fever vaccine. This acts against the viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes chiefly, and can be fatal at times.  

The vaccine is cheap and safe, and the antibody generated affords lifetime immunity to the mainly affected population by 95% within one week after a single dose. It is advised for those who are working or planning to travel to countries with a higher risk of yellow fever outbreak, such as the African continent and some parts of America, and for those above nine months of age.  

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Conclusion

Yellow fever is an erosive vector-borne serious virus. It manifests flu-like symptoms through prostration, fever up to organ dysfunction. The treatment for Yellow Fever is mainly supportive, but supporting vaccination is the only sure way of preventing the disease. Those who intend to visit the affected areas must take high precautions. Likewise, protective clothing, repellent use as well as proper sanitation can minimise the chances of developing such diseases. Max Nanavati Hospital provides proper education on Yellow fever and the means to prevent its spread is important in an attempt to eradicate it. People should know how to protect themselves, by avoiding probable causes of the disease. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Yellow Fever, and how is it transmitted?

Yellow fever is an acute communicable disease. It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. They are mainly found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. It is spread by the bite of infected Aedes or Haemagogus mosquitoes. This may be a mere fever or may be as severe as liver disease with features of bleeding. 

2. Is there a vaccine available for Yellow Fever?

Yes, there is a very effective vaccine for Yellow Fever that has been proven to work in clinical research. It is taken once, and this offers immunity throughout a lifetime. 

3. What should travellers know about Yellow Fever before visiting endemic areas?

Travellers should get themselves vaccinated. Further, they should practise other preventive measures such as using repellent, wearing appropriate clothing and being in screened rooms.

4. What are the treatment options for Yellow Fever?

Currently, there are no antiviral drugs that are specifically used in treating Yellow Fever. The management of this condition is more or less symptomatic. Emphasis is laid on supportive care to avoid complications usually related to dehydration. In extreme conditions, the patient may be admitted to ICU for better management of complications that may arise.

5. What are the long-term effects of Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever has no serious complications. Most of the affected persons make a full recovery without any aftereffects. Nonetheless, the severe symptoms may have different detrimental effects on the liver and kidneys, with possible lifelong consequences or fatalities. It is noticed that long-term sequelae of the severe form are asthenia and fatigue. 

6. What should I do if I suspect I have Yellow Fever?

If you develop symptoms of Yellow Fever contact your physician as soon as possible. If diagnosed early and timely supportive care is provided, then the disease can be treated well. 

7. Is there a cure for Yellow Fever?

Like most viral infections, there is no treatment known for Yellow Fever. Emphasis is laid on identifying symptoms and prevention or controlling of complications. 

8. Who treats yellow fever disease?

Yellow Fever is managed by physicians. The physicians are usually infectious disease physicians or general medical practitioners who have an interest in tropical diseases. Very rarely, a person may be required to be hospitalised.