Yellow fever is a serious disease that affects many people in tropical parts of Africa and South America. While it may sound like a rare illness, it is something to know about, especially if you live in or plan to visit areas where the disease is common. In this blog, you will learn about what yellow fever is, how it spreads, the risks it brings, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself.
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. The disease gets its name because one of the common symptoms is jaundice, which makes the skin and eyes look yellow. Yellow fever can range from mild to very serious, sometimes even causing death. The good news is that there is a vaccine that protects against the disease, and with the right knowledge, it can be prevented.
Where is yellow fever found?
Yellow fever mainly affects tropical regions, especially in parts of Africa and South America. Countries with warm climates and forests provide the perfect home for the mosquitoes that carry the virus. In these areas, outbreaks can happen if people do not take the right precautions.
How Does Yellow Fever Spread?
Yellow fever is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes get the virus by biting people who already have yellow fever. Then, they pass the virus to other people when they bite again. This is why the disease can quickly spread in places where lots of mosquitoes and people live close to each other.
There are three main ways yellow fever spreads:
- Urban Cycle: This happens when the virus spreads between people through mosquitoes in cities or towns. The Aedes aegypti mosquito lives close to humans, often breeding in standing water around homes.
- Jungle (Sylvatic) Cycle: Here, the virus spreads between monkeys and mosquitoes in the forest. Humans can get infected when they enter these forest areas and get bitten by infected mosquitoes.
- Intermediate Cycle: This is a mix of the urban and jungle cycles and happens in rural areas where both humans and monkeys live near each other.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?
The symptoms of yellow fever usually start 3 to 6 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. At first, it might feel like the flu, with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Some people get better after this stage, but others develop more severe symptoms.
The serious stage can include:
- High fever
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or eyes
- Vomiting, sometimes with blood
- Organ failure, especially the liver and kidneys
If the disease reaches this stage, it can be deadly. That is why it is very important to get medical help quickly if you have symptoms and think you may have been exposed to yellow fever.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who lives in or travels to areas where yellow fever is common can get the disease. However, some groups are at higher risk:
- People living in tropical regions of Africa and South America
- Travelers visiting those regions without vaccination
- Workers in forests or rural areas where mosquitoes and monkeys live
- People with weakened immune systems or other health problems
How is yellow fever diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose yellow fever based on symptoms and the chance that the person was in an area where the disease spreads. Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis by looking for the virus or antibodies that fight the virus.
Early diagnosis is very important because it helps doctors manage the disease and prevent its spread.
The yellow fever vaccine – Stamaril
One of the best ways to protect yourself from yellow fever is to get vaccinated. The most widely used vaccine is called Stamaril. It is a live, weakened vaccine that helps your body build immunity to the virus without causing the disease.
Here are some key points about Stamaril:
- Effectiveness: A single dose of Stamaril usually gives lifelong protection for most people. This means you don’t generally need booster shots.
- Safety: Stamaril is considered very safe. Most people experience only mild side effects like soreness where the shot was given or a slight fever.
- Vaccination Certificate: After vaccination, you get an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Many countries require this certificate as proof of vaccination before entry.
- Timing: It’s best to get the vaccine at least 10 days before traveling to an area with yellow fever risk. This allows your body enough time to build protection.
- Not for Everyone: Some people should avoid the vaccine, such as infants under 9 months, people with certain immune system problems, or those allergic to vaccine components. Always talk to a healthcare provider to see if Stamaril is right for you.
If you are looking for yellow fever vaccination in Delhi, make sure to consult authorized centers well before your travel to ensure you receive the vaccine on time.
What to do if you think you have yellow fever
If you experience symptoms like fever, muscle pain, or yellowing of the skin after being in an area with yellow fever, seek medical care immediately. There is no specific cure for yellow fever, but doctors can provide supportive care to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Early medical attention improves the chance of recovery.
Yellow fever and travel
If you plan to travel to a country where yellow fever is common, it is important to:
- Get vaccinated at least 10 days before your trip.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- Follow mosquito bite prevention measures during your trip.
- Be alert for symptoms during and after travel.
Some countries may require vaccination for travelers coming from places where yellow fever is present to prevent the spreading of the disease.
Yellow fever today: Progress and challenges
Thanks to vaccination campaigns and better mosquito control, yellow fever cases have decreased in many places. However, outbreaks still happen, especially when vaccination coverage is low. Climate change and urban growth can increase mosquito populations and risk.
Public health efforts continue to focus on improving vaccination access, mosquito control, and awareness to stop yellow fever from spreading.
Conclusion
Yellow fever is a serious but preventable disease caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes. It mostly affects people living in or visiting tropical areas of Africa and South America. The disease can be mild or severe, but vaccination with Stamaril and mosquito bite prevention can protect you.
If you plan to travel to places with yellow fever risk, make sure you get vaccinated, use insect repellent, and take other steps to avoid mosquito bites. If you develop symptoms after travel, see a doctor immediately.
Being informed and prepared is the best way to stay safe from this disease.