Yellow Fever

Where it occurs

In parts of South America and West and East Africa. For a long time in the 20th century it appeared to be dying out but in recently years has re-emerged strongly.

Infection

Yellow Fever is a virus spread by female mosquitoes

There are two kinds, urban and jungle yellow fever. Urban yellow fever is found in towns and cities and is transferred directly between humans by female mosquitoes. Jungle yellow fever is found in rural areas and is really a disease of monkeys, transferred from monkey to monkey by mosquitoes - but it can be transferred to humans from monkeys as well.

As well as vaccination, it is important to protect yourself against being bitten by mosquitoes -

Symptoms

Some people who are infected have no symptoms at all and for others symptoms are mild and flu-like, disappearing after three to four days. But attacks can be much more severe and include a high temperature and fever, chills, muscle and backache, headaches and nausea. In the worst cases, it can lead to shock, internal bleeding and failure of the kidneys and liver. In the case of liver failure, people develop jaundice which characteristically causes a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes which is how the illness acquired its name.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment. In mild cases, sufferers should rest, drink plenty of fluid and treat headaches or other pain with paracetemol and wait for the illness to pass - but in serious cases intense medical care in hospital will be necessary.