What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a disease cause by flavivirus. The virus is spread by mosquito bites that occur in the jungle and tropical areas of South America and Africa.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Signs and symptoms are commonly seen 3 to 6 days after being bit and initially include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Backache
- Muscle an joint pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Abdominal pain
In more about 15% of the cases symptoms worsen and become more severe including:
- Shock
- Internal bleeding
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Organ failure
How is it spread?
Yellow fever is spread:
- Yellow fever is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes species in Africa and the Haemagogus species in South America.
- Mosquitoes that spread yellow fever typically bite during the daytime, usually around sunrise and sunset.
Should I see a health care provider?
Yes, contact your health care provider if you think you or your child has yellow fever.
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