Yellow fever

 📚Submitted by:  🎣www.facebook.com/groups/1478392040080778/  

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus.

It is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily in:

• Parts of Africa

• Central and South America

It can range from mild illness to life-threatening organ failure.

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🧠 What’s Actually Happening?

After a mosquito bite:

1. The virus enters the bloodstream

2. It infects the liver

3. Liver damage can occur

4. In severe cases, bleeding and organ failure develop

The name “yellow” comes from:

• Jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes due to liver injury.

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⚠️ How It Spreads

• Transmitted by infected mosquitoes (Aedes and Haemagogus species)

• Not spread by casual person-to-person contact

• Occurs in tropical regions with active mosquito transmission

Travelers to affected regions are at risk without vaccination.

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🔍 Symptoms

🔹 Early Stage (3–6 days after infection)

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle pain (especially back pain)

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fatigue

Many people recover after this stage.

🔴 Severe (Toxic) Stage

About 15% progress to severe disease:

• High fever

• Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting blood

• Bleeding from gums or nose

• Kidney failure

• Shock

This stage can be fatal.

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🧪 How It’s Diagnosed

• Blood tests

• Travel history

• Liver function tests

There is no specific antiviral cure.

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🛠 Treatment

Treatment is supportive:

• Hospital care

• IV fluids

• Blood transfusions (if needed)

• Monitoring for organ failure

Severe cases require intensive care.

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💉 Prevention

The yellow fever vaccine is:

• Highly effective

• Long-lasting (often lifelong protection)

• Required for travel to some countries

Mosquito prevention is also important:

• Repellent

• Protective clothing

• Eliminating standing water

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💥 Bottom Line

Yellow fever is:

• A mosquito-borne viral disease

• Potentially deadly

• Preventable with vaccination

If traveling to endemic regions — vaccination is critical.