Medically reviewed by Medication.com.
By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
SATURDAY, June 8, 2024 — If tropical lands like South America or Africa are your journey locations, getting your self protected in opposition to yellow fever earlier than you go is crucial, an professional says.
What’s yellow fever? In line with Dr. Jill Weatherhead, an assistant professor of tropical drugs and infectious illnesses at Baylor School of Drugs in Houston, it is a viral sickness endemic to tropical zones that is unfold to people by means of the bites of contaminated mosquitos.
Most people bitten and contaminated might not present any signs. However others will develop signs inside every week of the chew.
“These signs embody fever, chills, complications, again ache and myalgias [aches],” Weatherhead stated in a Baylor information launch.
In some folks, “the virus can progress to extreme illness,” she added. “One in seven folks will develop extreme yellow fever, which incorporates excessive fever or jaundice, which is the yellowing of the pores and skin that’s related to irritation of the liver or hemorrhagic shock the place bleeding can occur.”
For people unlucky to develop full-blown illness, there’s little or no docs can do since no recognized antiviral is efficient in opposition to the sickness. One of the best that may be accomplished is what well being care employees name “supportive care.”
There are two key strategies of stopping yellow fever earlier than it begins, nonetheless: Vaccination and mosquito avoidance.
“A yellow fever vaccine is accessible and really helpful for all individuals 9 months and older touring to yellow fever-endemic areas, with some exceptions,” Weatherhead stated. “Moreover, some nations may require you to have the vaccination earlier than you enter, and there could also be some restrictions on going into a rustic when you have been to a yellow fever-endemic space.”
As soon as in an space the place mosquitoes carrying the yellow fever virus could be discovered, a number of easy steps may help you keep away from getting bitten. They’re principally the identical measures you’d use again house: put on lengthy sleeves and lengthy pants and use a bug repellant with DEET.
If you end up contaminated with yellow fever, “be sure to are hydrated and are controlling your fevers to assist alleviate signs,” Weatherhead stated. “Acetaminophen can be the treatment of alternative. Keep away from utilizing anti-inflammatories like aspirin and different NSAIDs that might affect your platelets. Searching for medical care as quickly as potential may be lifesaving.”
SOURCE: Baylor School of Drugs, information launch, June 6, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical information in medical articles present normal traits and don’t pertain to people. Particular person elements can range tremendously. All the time search personalised medical recommendation for particular person healthcare selections.
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Posted June 2024
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