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What are the symptoms of yellow fever?

Many people who catch the yellow fever virus show no symptoms at all. Early symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, back pain, muscle and joint pain, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, restlessness and irritability. In cases where the disease has progressed to its severe stage, internal bleeding from multiple organs can occur, which can cause death.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is an infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and sub-tropical climates.

How does a yellow fever infection occur?

The yellow fever virus is transmitted between people, or from monkeys to humans, via mosquito bites.

How common is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a common disease in Africa and South America. Every year, 200,000 cases of yellow fever occur, with 30,000 people dying of the disease.

Who gets yellow fever?

Anyone can become infected by yellow fever if bitten by a mosquito that is carrying yellow fever virus.

How is yellow fever diagnosed?

If a yellow fever infection is suspected, your doctor may perform specific blood tests to identify the presence of the virus or antibodies to the virus. Other blood tests may be performed to assess your blood cell counts (usually a lowered white blood cell …

How is yellow fever treated?

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Antibiotics and existing antiviral medications have no effect on the virus. If you are suffering from yellow fever, treatment will focus on managing your symptoms, hydration, supporting your body's immune system …

Is yellow fever serious?

Yellow fever is a very serious condition. People who reach the severe stage of the disease can suffer significant damage to the kidneys, liver and other internal organs and have a 20-50% chance of dying within two weeks.

Can I prevent being infected with yellow fever?

An effective yellow fever vaccine is available and is routinely given to people living in, or travelling to, areas where the virus is commonly found. The vaccine is given as a single injection and is thought to give decades of protection from …

Can I be reinfected with yellow fever?

If you are vaccinated against yellow fever, or have recovered from a past yellow fever infection, you are protected from being reinfected.

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 03 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Votes: 569 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Dengue fever

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