Yellow Fever, named for the yellowing of the skin it can cause, is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus is only found in a few places around the world, but even if there aren’t currently reported cases of infection it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
The vaccine for yellow fever is highly effective so you may be in an area where the local population is widely protected against the virus. It’s also possible that cases of yellow fever haven’t been detected and officially reported yet.
That’s why it’s so important to get the yellow fever vaccine if you’re travelling to an area where yellow fever is a risk.
Yellow Fever Side Effects
Yellow fever has an incubation period of up to 6 days and once the symptoms start, any treatment will be focused on reducing any discomfort. There is no cure for yellow fever.
The first stage, the acute stage, causes symptoms similar to the flu:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Being sick
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain (especially in the back and knees)
Most people should recover within a couple of weeks, but those who don’t will enter a more life threatening phase of the disease known as the toxic phase.
Symptoms of the toxic phase:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Decreased urination
- Decreased heart rate
- Severe stomach pain
- Vomiting, including vomiting blood
- Liver and kidney failure
- Delirium, coma, and seizures
Yellow Fever and Travel
Yellow fever is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Not all mosquitoes in these regions will be infected with yellow fever, but you should still take precautions against infection. This includes getting the yellow fever vaccine and preventing mosquito bites.
You should wear long sleeves and pants, wear closed toe shoes, and use mosquito spray even on areas of your body that are covered. At night, sleep under mosquito nets and only open windows if there are intact screens covering them.
Yellow Fever Clinic Near Me
The yellow fever vaccine is most effective 4 weeks before travel. However, if you have a last minute trip you should still get vaccinated as soon as possible. Touchwood Pharmacy’s yellow fever clinic and travel clinic can prepare you for your travels with vaccinations and comprehensive advice.
For the best yellow fever clinic in the UK, visit our website today to book your appointment online.
