Search results
May 15, 2024 · Key points. Vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 months or older who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus in Africa and South America. Typically, one dose of the vaccine is safe and provides life-long protection against yellow fever.
- Yellow Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Key points. Initial symptoms of yellow fever can include...
- Yellow Fever Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
Symptoms and signs of yellow fever include: Sudden onset of...
- Yellow Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- What is the yellow fever vaccine?
- How does the vaccine work?
- What are the mild side effects?
- Are there any serious side effects?
- Who needs the vaccine?
- Should anyone not get it?
- The bottom line
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal disease caused by the yellow fever virus.
The virus is found in parts of South America and Africa. It’s spread through the bite of mosquitos infected with the virus. It’s not transmitted from person to person.
Some people with yellow fever only experience flu-like symptoms and recover completely after a short time. Others develop a more severe form of the infection that causes serious symptoms, such as:
•high fever
•vomiting
•yellow skin (jaundice)
The yellow fever vaccine causes your immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. It’s administered as a relatively painless injection.
If you’re in the United States and are planning to travel to an area where yellow fever is common, you’ll need to get vaccinated at an authorized yellow fever vaccination center.
You can find their locations here.
Originally, a single dose was meant to last for at least 10 years. But in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a single injection should provide life-long immunity.
Keep in mind that this change still isn’t reflected in the International Health Regulations, a legally-binding document put out by WHO. As a result, some countries may not accept a certificate that’s more than 10 years old.
You can check regulations in specific countries here. You might want to call the local embassy before your trip just to be sure.
As with almost any other medicine or vaccine, some people have a reaction to the yellow fever vaccine.
Usually, this reaction is mild, with side effects such as:
•fever
•muscle aches
•mild joint pain
In addition, any kind of injection can cause soreness, redness, or swelling around the injection site.
There’s a small risk of serious side effects from the yellow fever vaccine. The CDC states that this includes:
•a severe allergic reaction, which affects about 1 in 55,000 people
•a severe nervous system reaction, which affects about 1 in 125,000 people
•severe illness with organ failure, which affects about 1 in 250,000
After receiving the vaccine, keep an eye out for these symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
•behavior changes
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for the following:
•all persons aged 9 months or older who are living in or traveling to areas of South America, Africa, or other countries where the yellow fever virus is found
•people who are traveling to countries requiring proof of yellow fever immunization
•anyone who might come into contact with the yellow fever virus, such as laboratory workers or healthcare professionals
The vaccine shouldn’t be given to:
•children younger than 9 months of age
•adults older than 59 years of age
•people with reduced immunity, such as people with HIV or those receiving chemotherapy
•people who’ve had a severe reaction to egg, gelatin, or other ingredients of the vaccine
•people who’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine
Yellow fever is a serious illness, so it’s important to get vaccinated if you plan to be in an area where the virus is common.
If you’re not sure if you should get the vaccine, talk to a doctor. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks.
Keep in mind that the vaccine isn’t foolproof. When traveling to areas with the yellow fever virus, it’s important to still protect yourself against mosquito bites by using nets, insect repellants, and protective clothing.
Try to stay indoors during peak times when mosquitos may bite to further lower your risk. Most species bite from dusk to dawn, but one species feeds during the daytime. Staying in air-conditioned rooms can lower your risk.
Key points. Initial symptoms of yellow fever can include fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (feeling tired), and weakness. Severe symptoms include high fever, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), bleeding, shock, and organ failure.
Nausea or vomiting. More severe symptoms of yellow fever can include: Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) Bleeding from multiple body sites. Shock (life-threatening condition in which the body is not getting enough blood flow) Liver, kidney, or other organ failure. Severe yellow fever can cause death in 30% to 60% of affected people.
Apr 1, 2020 · Symptoms and signs of yellow fever include: Sudden onset of fever and chills. Headache, back pain, or general body aches. Nausea or vomiting. More severe symptoms of yellow fever can include: Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) Bleeding from multiple body sites. Shock (life-threatening condition in which the body is not getting enough blood flow)
May 1, 2024 · Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin. Since the vaccine may not protect everyone completely, it is very important that you use precautions to reduce your chance of mosquito bites.
Common symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting. In most cases, symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 days. A small percentage of patients enter a second, more toxic phase within 24 hours of recovering from initial symptoms.
