7. Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a tropical disease caused by the yellow fever virus that is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitos. The disease is found in both urban and rural areas of tropical African and South American countries. In Asia, no cases of yellow fever have been reported.
Yellow fever is a viral disease with varying degrees of severity that is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. The infection is named after the yellow skin color (jaundice) seen in people suffering from serious illness. Infection symptoms can be mild at first, but they frequently worsen with the sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and prostration. The disease can progress to visible haemorrhage, jaundice, kidney and liver failure, and death. Unvaccinated people may have a death rate of up to 50%.
Yellow fever virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the virus that causes dengue fever. The virus enters the bloodstream through the saliva of the mosquito as it bites. The virus can then be transported throughout the body and reproduce in a variety of cells, most notably the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels. In extreme cases, these cells may become damaged. Furthermore, immune system cells are affected and release large amounts of signalling substances. These substances are the source of common disease symptoms like muscle pain and fever.
Jungle yellow fever is primarily a monkey disease. In the tropical rain forest, it spreads from infected mosquitos to monkeys. People get jungle yellow fever when they put themselves in the middle of this natural cycle and are bitten by monkey-infected mosquitoes. Jungle yellow fever is uncommon and mostly affects people who work in tropical rain forests.
Humans are infected with urban yellow fever. Mosquitoes that have been infected by other people spread it. Aedes aegypti is the type of mosquito that typically transmits yellow fever from person to person. These mosquitos have adapted to life in cities, towns, and villages. They breed near human dwellings in discarded tyres, flower pots, oil drums, and water storage containers. The majority of yellow fever outbreaks and epidemics are caused by urban yellow fever. Yellow fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected female
mosquito. The yellow fever virus is injected into the bite by the mosquito.
Yellow fever is widespread in West and Central Africa, as well as parts of South America. In Africa, epidemics cause hundreds of thousands of cases on a regular basis. Yellow fever is present in 33 countries, with 468 million people at risk of contracting the disease.
Symptoms
Although many yellow fever infections are minor, the disease can cause severe, life-threatening illness. High fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and backache are all symptoms of a severe infection. Following a brief period of recovery, the infection can cause shock, bleeding, and kidney and liver failure. Jaundice is caused by liver failure and is visible as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, hence the name yellow fever. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, symptoms appear 3 to 6 days later. Infections with severe yellow fever can be fatal.
Yellow fever is diagnosed in a laboratory by detecting specific yellow fever virus antibodies in the blood.
Yellow fever can be prevented by vaccination. Traveler's should also take precautions against mosquito bites when in areas with yellow fever transmission. If necessary, get vaccinated for yellow fever before travel.
- Before visiting areas where yellow fever is present, travelers should get vaccinated.
- For travel to and from certain countries, international regulations require proof of yellow fever vaccination. Vaccine recipients should be given an International Certificate of Vaccination.
- When visiting tropical areas, avoid mosquito bites. Yellow fever mosquitos typically bite during the day. Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites both outside and inside.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Treat clothing with permethrin or another suitable insecticide for added protection.
- Insecticide should be sprayed in living and sleeping areas.
- When sleeping in a non-screened or air-conditioned room, use a mosquito net. Treat the bed net with the insecticide permethrin for added protection.
- On exposed skin, apply insect repellent. DEET levels in the most effective repellents range from 20% to 35%. (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
Treatment
Yellow fever has no specific treatment. Yellow fever patients should rest and drink plenty of fluids. There are no medicines that can combat this virus.
Serious cases of yellow fever always necessitate hospitalization. Because there are no medications that combat the virus, the doctor can only treat the symptoms. If there is a lack of fluid in the body, which is causing electrolyte imbalances, this can be corrected by administering fluids via intravenous drip. In mild cases, the pain may be relieved with simple painkillers. High temperatures can be treated by cooling the patient and giving appropriate medicines to lower the temperature.
Many countries, particularly those in Asia, will deny entry to anyone who has recently visited a yellow fever-infected country and does not have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Some countries will only let unvaccinated people in if they agree to be vaccinated at the border. In this case, you may not be able to ensure the sterility of the vaccine administration items.
To obtain a valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate, you must be given a WHO-approved yellow fever vaccine by a vaccination provider who has been approved by a national health authority. The certificate must be in a WHO-approved format and must be completed in accordance with WHO guidelines. The disease is covered by the International Quarantine Regulations, which are strictly enforced by authorities worldwide. Vaccination provides 10 years of protection.
If a traveler is not immunized and contracts yellow fever, the consequences can be severe, even fatal.
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