Symptoms of Yellow Fever
The most common symptoms of yellow fever are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain. Other symptoms may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Symptoms generally appear after 3 to 6 days of infection. Most people recover from yellow fever within 7 to 10 days, but in some cases, symptoms can last for up to several weeks.
Complications of Yellow Fever
In some cases, yellow fever can lead to serious complications such as liver damage, kidney failure, and bleeding. These complications can be deadly, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Diagnosis of Yellow Fever
To diagnose yellow fever, your doctor will take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory for testing. The test looks for antibodies that your body has formed to fight the yellow fever virus.
Treatment of Yellow Fever
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment is typically supportive, and may include rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever and pain. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications or antibiotics.
Prevention of Yellow Fever
The best way to prevent yellow fever is to get vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for people who are traveling to areas where yellow fever is common, such as parts of Africa and South America. It is also recommended for people who work with laboratory animals that may be infected with the virus.