Vaalga Endrum: Yellow Fever Is A Life-threatening Disease

Yellow fever is a life-threatening disease

Overview

Why is it called yellow fever?

Yellow fever is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes and Haemagogus species. They spread the virus to humans through their bites.

Transmitted by mosquitoes

Viral Identity: YFV is an RNA virus. It’s a type species of the Flaviviridae family that targets the liver, leading to jaundice. This virus spreads its wings through the bite of an infected mosquito. Specifically, it’s the Aedes aegypti mosquito that’s often in cities. These are found throughout the tropics and subtropics and are the carriers of yellow fever.

Jaundice: When someone gets infected with yellow fever, they might experience a high fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, and a sudden loss of appetite accompanied by a distinct yellowing of the skin and eyes. This yellowing phenomenon is called jaundice.

In about 15% of cases, the fever returns with a vengeance after a brief improvement. Abdominal pain, liver damage, turning the skin yellow. Changing climate, urbanization, and people’s frequent movements have contributed to its resurgence. The same mosquitoes that spread dengue and Zika viruses.

Geography and Outbreaks:

Yellow fever is common in tropical areas of South America and Africa but not in Asia.
Since the 17th century, major outbreaks have occurred across the Americas, Africa, and Europe. Blame it on the European trafficking of enslaved Africans from sub-Saharan Africa—yellow fever hitched a ride!
As of 2023, about 34 countries in Africa and 13 countries in Central and South America are either endemic for yellow fever or have areas where it’s endemic.

Diagnosis and Prevention:

To confirm a suspected case, doctors rely on blood-sample testing with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Yellow fever vaccine

Prevention and vaccination:

Remember, prevention is key!

Avoid mosquito bites: wear long sleeves, use insect repellent, and sleep under mosquito nets. Mosquitoes might be tiny, but they’re persistent little bugs.
And if you ever find yourself in a mosquito-heavy locale, channel your inner mosquito whisperer and stay safe.
Some countries even require travelers to get vaccinated before they embark on their adventures.
Reducing the mosquito population is another prevention strategy.
Maybe we should organize a mosquito awareness campaign.

The vaccine provides lifelong protection.

A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection.
The good news is that we have a safe and effective vaccine against yellow fever!
The yellow fever vaccine is like a superhero serum but without the cape. It’s safe, affordable, and packs a punch with a single dose.
Once you get that little jab in your upper arm, your immune system gears up to fight off yellow fever like a champ.

Who Should Get It?

If you’re planning a tropical escapade to areas where yellow fever hangs out (think sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America, Central America, and even Trinidad in the Caribbean), this vaccine is your travel buddy.
Kids as young as 9 months can join the vaccination party.
If a country insists on a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry, you better have one tucked away in your backpack. It’s like the golden ticket, but for health.

When to Get It?

Aim for at least 10 days before your travel adventure. That gives the vaccine time to do its thing.
If you’ve recently had the MMR vaccine (that’s measles, mumps, and rubella), wait at least 4 weeks before getting the yellow fever vaccine. It’s like scheduling playdates for your immune system.
if you’re a globetrotter with ongoing yellow fever risk, re-vaccination might be on the menu. Individual basis, of course.

Certificate of Vaccination

Some countries demand proof that you’ve been vaccinated. It’s like showing your passport to the mosquito bouncer. This fancy document is called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).
All vaccination certificates are now valid for life. So, no expiration dates—just eternal mosquito-repelling glory!
No need for a certificate to walk into the UK, though. They’re pretty chill about it.

Where to Get It?

Swing by a registered yellow fever vaccination center. They’re the pros with the needles.
And yes, there’s a price tag: Usually around £60 to £85. But hey, it’s an investment in your mosquito-proof aura.

How Long Does It Last?

For most folks, this vaccine provides lifelong protection. 🌟
If you fall into special categories (like being pregnant, super young, living with HIV, or having a weakened immune system), a booster dose might be on the cards.
Remember, yellow fever is no joke, but with the vaccine, you’re like a mosquito’s worst nightmare.

The Prelude:

Yellow fever symptoms usually walk onto the stage 3 to 6 days after a mosquito bites you and whisper, But sometimes, they’re fashionably late.

Flu Vibes:

The initial symptoms are like a mashup of both:
High temperature
Headache
Feeling or being sick
Muscles and joint pain.
Loss of appetite

The Plot Twist:

Most folks ride out these symptoms for 3 or 4 days.
Get hit with serious symptoms within 24 hours of feeling better.
These more intense symptoms include:
Yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice):
Dark pee:
Stomach pain:
Bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or even your stomach
These serious symptoms can be downright fatal.

When to Sound the Alarm:

If you’ve been gallivanting in a yellow fever-prone country and start feeling unwell, don’t play hide-and-seek with your symptoms.
Call your GP. Tell them about your recent travels and any mosquito encounters.
Remember, yellow fever is a serious business. So, if you ever feel like a human sunflower or your pee turns mysterious shades, seek help immediately.

Yellow fever treatment

Unfortunately, there’s no specific antiviral drug that targets the yellow fever virus directly.
Most people bounce back after 3 or 4 days like they’ve had a brief tropical flu vacation.
Rest, hydrate, and channel your inner zen master.
When those yellow fever symptoms kick in,
Painkillers: paracetamol (or acetaminophen, if you’re feeling fancy) or ibuprofen
Fluids: Avoid Dehydration :
Drugs containing aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided.

How is yellow fever transmitted?

Mosquitoes play an important role between viruses and unsuspecting humans.

Mosquitoes feed on infected primates (whether humans or monkeys).

When they bite another primate (human or non-human), they pass on the virus. It’s like a viral relay race.

Three Transmission Cycles:

Jungle (Sylvatic) Cycle: Happens in the forest canopy. Monkeys and forest-dwelling mosquitoes (the real tree-huggers) pass the virus around. Humans get caught in the crossfire when they visit or work in the jungle.
Intermediate (Savannah) Cycle: Imagine a border area where the jungle meets civilization. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus from monkeys to humans or even humans to humans. It’s like a viral tug-of-war.
Urban Cycle: This one’s all about city life. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the urban party planners—spread the virus among humans. Usually, a viremic human brings it from the jungle or savannah.

The mosquito hangouts:

These day-biting mosquitoes have three favorite habitats:

Domestic: Around houses, sipping on human blood during brunch.
Wild: Deep in forests or jungles, mingling with monkeys.
Semi-Domestic: They’re the social butterflies—partying in both urban and wild settings.
So, next time you see a mosquito, give it a stern look and say, “Not today, yellow fever!”

Here are 21 efficient mosquito-bite prevention methods:

DEET Products: DEET still parties after 40 years. Repel, Off! Deep Woods and Cutter Skinsations sell DEET repellents. Even for kids, the EPA recommends DEET. So, squirt away!

Picaridin: Global travelers love this black pepper chemical relative. Safe for babies 2 months and older, it lasts 6-8 hours. Look for Natrapel or Sawyer goods.

Plant-based superhero Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) fights mosquitoes and DEET. Repel, Bug Shield, and Cutter protect you. Remember, essential oil versions are less effective, so choose for the real thing! 🌿

IR3535: This European favorite repels deer ticks. Merck has your back. 🦌

Undecanone: Found in cloves, it was originally used to discourage dogs and cats (since mosquitoes have standards). Remember Bite Blocker BioUD. 🐶🐱

Repellent Application Safety:

First sunscreen, then repellant.
No underwear splashing.
Spray your hands and rub your face.
Avoid mouth and eyes.
Avoid inflamed or wounded skin.
Let the adults handle it, kids.
After repellant, wash hands.

Bonus Tips:

Mosquitoes adore bare skin, so dress like a ninja in loose, long clothes.
Avoid perfumes: Mosquitoes are scent-sensitive. Avoid flowery cologne.
Stay Dry: Mosquitoes hate dry places.
Keep windows closed when the buzzers are on.
Apply 0.5% permethrin on outdoor gear.
Reduce Your Appeal: Wear lighter colors and avoid floral soaps. Playing hard to get with mosquitoes. 😉
Combating mosquitoes is like defending your skin's honor! Go forth, mosquito warrior!🌟

Conclusion

In humans, yellow fever can linger for three to six days, but the worst-case scenario is that it comes back within a day. A complete lifetime can be vaccinated with just one shot. In addition, the symptoms of yellow fever, including bleeding, might be fatal. See a doctor right now.

Vaalga Endrum

Yellow Fever Is A Life-threatening Disease