Yellow Fever Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Yellow Fever?

It is a viral infection that transmits by mosquitoes. Yellow fever is common in sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Even though, anyone can become infected, yet elderly are more prone to experience severe infection. Normally, symptoms emerge three to six days after being bitten by the mosquito.

What Are The Symptoms Of Yellow Fever?

Clearly, the infection has 3 stages, they are:

• Stage 1 is the period of infection, wherein symptoms like jaundice, vomiting, loss of appetite, flushing, fever, joint and muscle aches and headache emerges. Usually, these symptoms resolve after 4-5 days.
• Stage 2 is the period of remission when fever along with some other signs disappears. Majority individuals recovers at the stage, however the condition of others can turn even worst.
• Reaching the stage 3 leads to the occurrence of problems with several organs such as kidney, liver and heart. Delirium, coma, seizures and bleeding disorders can also develop.

When Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance?

Prior traveling to an area, where the infection is common, it is advice to visit your doctor for better assistance of its prevention. Your doctor will decide whether or not a vaccine against yellow fever is needed in your case.

In case you, or someone in your family has develop the symptoms of yellow fever, such as jaundice, vomiting, muscle aches and headaches, particularly after visiting a place where the infection is known to thrive, then do not delay to ‘rush’ to your doctor.

What Causes Yellow Fever?

It is instigated by a virus that passes on by mosquitoes. One can contract the disease in case of being bitten by the infected mosquito.

What Are The Potential Complications Of Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever can lead a number of serious complications, few of which are:

• Shock.
• Secondary bacterial infections.
• Parotitis.
• Liver failure.
• Kidney failure.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
• Death.
• Coma.

How Is Yellow Fever Diagnosed?

Based on your symptoms, the doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam and will suggest several blood tests. The results of which may reveal shock, kidney and liver failure.
One must discuss all the details regarding the travel history of the past few weeks, specially, if traveled to a place where yellow fever is common. On the basis of blood tests, the doctor will confirm its diagnosis.

How Is Yellow Fever Treated?

There are no treatments for the infection, however treatments for the signs of yellow fever can include:

• For intense bleeding, the patient is provided with blood products.
• In case of kidney failure, dialysis is recommended.

What Is The Prognosis Of Yellow Fever?

The disease can lead to serious complications. Possibilities of death do tend to exist!

What Is Yellow Fever Preventable?

Yes, to some extent. By following the below mentioned suggestions, you can reduce the risks of contracting yellow fever:

• If you are about to travel a place where yellow fever occurs frequently, then ask your doctor for its vaccination.
• Take mosquito repellents and wear proper clothing to cover the body completely.
• Choose to sleep in screened housing.

By : Natural Health News