Treating Yellow Fever

The best line of treatment is prevention.

The Yellow fever vaccine is safe and highly effective, offering over 95% protection to those who get it. A single dose of the vaccine provides protection for at least 10 years. Mild side effects lasting 5-10 days can occur and may include headaches, low-grade fevers, muscle pain, fatigue, and soreness at the site of infection. More severe reactions can occur but are rare and affect primarily infants and older adults. The vaccine is considered safest for those aged between 9 months and 60 years.

It should be given at least 10 days prior to travelling to an area with infection risk and highly recommended for persons living in areas at risk for yellow fever transmission (i.e. in South America and Africa).

Contraindications of receiving the vaccine include:

• Allergy to any component of the vaccine
• Age <6 months
• Symptomatic HIV infection or CD4+ T-lymphocytes <200/mm³
• Thymus disorder associated with abnormal immune function
• Primary immunodeficiencies (Immune system disorder)
• Malignant neoplasms (Cancer)
• Transplantation (Organ transplant))
• Immunosuppressive and immuno-modulatory therapies (Chemotherapy, steroids)

Precautions of receiving the vaccine include:

• Age 6-8 months
• Age >60 years
• Asymptomatic HIV and CD4+ T-lymphocytes 200-499/mm³
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Certain countries require a proof of vaccination certificate before granting you clearance to enter their border. If you have an underlying health condition that warrants you unable to receive the vaccine, discuss with you health care provider to receive a medical waiver.

While in some cases it cannot be helped, avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities when mosquitos are most active, wearing loose long sleeved clothing, staying in well-screen housing, using bed nets when sleeping, and using insect repellents can help reduce exposure to mosquitos and potential infection.

Once someone has been infected with the yellow fever virus however, there are no specific treatments that have been found to be beneficial. All treatment options are symptomatic and patients are encouraged to be hospitalized for supportive care and observation. After infection, patients should get proper rest, maintain fluid intake and output, and manage fever and body aches. While pain relievers may be used, care should be taken to make sure patients avoid NSAIDS as they may increase the risk of bleeding. During the first few days of il lness, patients should stay indoors to be protected from further mosquito exposure. This breaks the transmission cycle and reduces the risk of infections of other people around the infected.

 References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Yellow fever prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/prevention/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Yellow fever vaccine. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/vaccine/index.html

NHS Choices. (2015). Yellow fever. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/yellow-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Yellow fever treatments and drugs. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yellow-fever/basics/treatment/con-20032263

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Yellow fever prevention. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yellow-fever/basics/prevention/con-20032263