Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by a mosquito bite. It is called “yellow” due to the coloration that appears on the skin of infected people.
Diagnosing the disease can be difficult, in the most extreme cases it can be confused with severe malaria, leptospirosis, viral hepatitis, hemorrhagic fevers, other infections, and intoxications.
Large epidemics occur when the virus is introduced by infected people in high population areas, with a large presence of mosquitoes, and when there is little or no immunity due to lack of vaccination.
What are the symptoms?
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Yellowish skin color
- Bleeding that can become hemorrhage
- Little urine
- Delirium
- Seizures
Recommendations to protect yourself from yellow fever.
- Get vaccinated 10 days before traveling to a country where the disease is present.
- Use insect repellent every four hours if you sweat a lot or are in contact with water.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Put mosquito nets on the bed where you are going to sleep.
Important considerations:
- An International Vaccination Certificate must accompany the vaccine.
- It should not be applied to children under nine months old, pregnant women, or people allergic to egg proteins.
- Patients with thymus gland disease or serious immunodeficiencies due to HIV/AIDS are also exempt.
In the Preventive Medicine area of the ABC Medical Center we can give you specialized care. Contact us!
