Yellow Fever: Symptoms and Treatment

Yellow fever is the result of flavivirus, which transmits to humans via mosquitoes throughout South America and Africa, particularly in jungles and dense forests. Many of the symptoms are similar to the flu and may include a fever, chills, body aches, and more. With the exception of rare, severe cases, treatment is not typically required. In rare cases, yellow fever may prove fatal.

Risk Factors for Yellow Fever

There are certain risk factors that may indicate if you’re at an increased risk of developing yellow fever. One of the biggest risk factors is traveling to or living in regions where yellow fever exists. However, if you’re vaccinated against the disease, your chance of developing yellow fever is greatly reduced. Additionally, certain groups of people are at an increased risk of developing yellow fever, including infants and the elderly.

Causes of Yellow Fever

Caused by a flavivirus, yellow fever spreads via bites from the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In addition to yellow fever, this type of mosquito is also responsible for carrying dengue and Zika. It’s important to note, however, that other types of mosquitos may also carry the virus for yellow fever, including the following:

• Aedes africanus
• Haemagogus
• Sabethes

Symptoms of Yellow Fever

If you have yellow fever, you may not even know you’re infected. Oftentimes, symptoms are mild and may only last a week or so. Oftentimes, however, you may experience flu-like symptoms, and in more severe cases, you may also experience fever, chills, body aches, bleeding, vomiting, confusion, shock, yellow eyes and skin, bruising, jaundice, low white blood cell counts, organ failure, and death.

Diagnosis of Yellow Fever

If you think you may have yellow fever, contact your doctor. During your visit, he or she may perform a physical exam and other tests to make a proper diagnosis. Your doctor may also discuss your medical and travel history and run through any symptoms you may have. He or she may also order additional tests, including the following:

• Antibody tests
• Viral PCR tests
• Urine tests

Treatment of Yellow Fever

If you’re diagnosed with yellow fever, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications to help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, he or she may recommend staying hydrated. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend a hospital stay so you can receive proper care if you’re experiencing bleeding, shock, or organ failure.

Prognosis of Yellow Fever

Fortunately, the prognosis for yellow fever is fairly good with a high survival rate. In fact, most people recover from the illness without the need for medical care. However, in severe cases, the disease may result in organ failure or death.

Complications of Yellow Fever

If you’re in one of the at-risk groups or develop severe symptoms of yellow fever, you may experience prolonged symptoms of fatigue and weakness, organ failure, and even death. Typically, these more severe symptoms affect the elderly or infants and result when diagnosis or treatment is delayed.

Fortunately, once you’ve contracted and recovered from yellow fever, you will likely enjoy immunity for life, even if you’re exposed to the illness again.