Most people have only heard about normal people. However, not many know about yellow fever. This fever is caused by mosquito bites, mainly during the day. As per WHO, 13 countries in Central and South America, and 34 countries in Africa are endemic to this disease. Let’s know more about this disease in this article. 

What is Yellow Fever?

This fever is a very serious illness caused because of the yellow fever virus. It is spread with the mosquito bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Most people who are infected with this virus do not get sick or have very mild symptoms. The symptoms start to show 3-6 days after the person is infected. Some yellow fever symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Backache
  • Muscle ache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Red face, eye, tongue
  • Decreased urination
  • Delirium
  • Arrhythmias – irregular heartbeats

Most of the above symptoms reduce within 3-4 days. However, there are around 12% of the infected people with symptoms may develop more serious complications or diseases, like:

  • Jaundice
  • Shock
  • Bleeding
  • Organ failure
  • Possible death
  • Seizure
  • Coma

The symptoms of this disease are very difficult to distinguish between regular fever and other hemorrhagic fever, like hantavirus, arenavirus, or dengue.

How to Diagnose Yellow Fever?

Since the symptoms of this disease are very common and may look like an ordinary fever, its diagnosis can be difficult. However, if you have visited any place that is known to be infected with this fever, it is better to meet your doctor and get yourself checked. Your doctor will run some blood tests to rule out any possibility of this deadly disease. 

If this disease is left untreated, it can be fatal and lead to death if the symptoms get worse. Some testing done for this fever is known as serologic and molecular testing.

How Can Yellow Fever Be Prevented and Treated?

This fever can only be prevented by a vaccine which is absolutely safe to take. A single yellow fever shot vaccine is good enough to protect anybody from this disease for a lifetime. There is no specific medication for this fever, and it depends on the symptoms of the patient. In most cases, the treatment is given to provide comfort to the patients.

If you feel that you have symptoms that look like this fever, it is better to discuss it with your doctor. Moreover, if you are traveling to a place prone to this fever, it is advisable to get a vaccination done. Here are some tips to prevent yourself from this deadly fever:

  • Since it happens because of mosquito bites, use an insect repellent if traveling to mosquito-prone areas.
  • Wear full-sleeved shirts and long-sleeved pants.
  • Apply 0.5% permethrin on clothing and equipment.
  • If you want to sleep outside, use a mosquito net, windows, and door screens, or air conditioning while choosing a place to stay.

Read More: Mumps: Not Just a Disease of Childhood

Final Thoughts

Now since you know what disease is yellow fever, it is essential to remember and understand its symptoms. This fever still exists in parts of South America and Africa and is caused by mosquito bites. This disease is fatal if not treated, and the only way to prevent it is by getting yourself vaccinated. You can also wear full-sleeved clothes and apply mosquito repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. If you have any symptoms, as mentioned in this article, please get in touch with your doctor immediately.