Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, most common in Africa and South America. Symptoms include mild and severe stages, cardiac dysfunction, organ problems, bleeding, and brain disorders. Treatment is based on symptoms and prevention is through vaccination.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by an infected mosquito bite. The disease is most common in Africa and South America. For this reason, not only the residents of these areas are subject to the infection, but also travellers. It spreads when the infection enters the mosquito’s bloodstream and travels to its salivary glands, where it will remain until the mosquito bites its next victim. After a mosquito bite, the infection will enter the bloodstream of the victim and make him sick.
Yellow fever symptoms typically appear within a few days of being bitten. There can be two phases of this disease. Not everyone will experience both phases. The first stage will typically produce mild symptoms that may disappear after a few days. Commonly, mild symptoms include loss of appetite, body aches, nausea, headache, and dizziness. As with most infections, fever may also be present.
This early stage may be followed by a more severe and possibly fatal onset of symptoms. Yellow fever can cause cardiac dysfunction, such as the onset of arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias occur when there is a change in the normal rhythm of the heart, which can cause it to beat too fast, slow or irregularly. Arrhythmias can affect the heart’s ability to function and can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.
The infection can lead to other organ problems. It can also cause kidney and liver dysfunction. Due to liver problems, an individual may develop jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin. If the kidneys are affected, problems such as decreased urination can occur. The onset of any of these problems can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and weakness. Yellow fever can eventually lead to failure of these organs, as well as other organs in the body.
In severe cases, yellow fever can cause bleeding. The bleeding can come from any opening in the body. Some possible locations may include the eyes, mouth and nose. Bleeding is always a serious problem, because a person can bleed to death rather quickly under these circumstances. For this reason, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Brain disorders can occur due to this infection and are usually quite severe. Delirium is a possible neurological problem that can occur. This usually causes sudden changes in brain function, which can include severe confusion. A person can also go into a coma. Typically, this will mean a total loss of consciousness for an extended period of time.
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Anyone exposed to the infection can be treated based on symptoms. This may include giving intravenous fluids, oxygen, and treating any secondary infections with antibiotics. Additionally, individuals with damaged kidneys may receive dialysis, and blood may be given to people with significant blood loss due to bleeding. The best way to prevent this infection is to get a yellow fever vaccination before traveling to a country where the infection is known to be rampant.
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