Symptoms:

• Arrhythmias, heart dysfunction
• Bleeding (may progress to hemorrhage)
• Coma
• Decreased urination
• Delirium
• Fever
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Muscle aches (myalgia)
• Red eyes, face, tongue
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Vomiting blood

Signs and tests:

A person with advanced yellow fever may show signs of liver failure, renal failure, and shock.

If you have symptoms of yellow fever, tell your doctor if you have traveled to areas where the disease is known to thrive. Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment for symptoms can include:

• Blood products for severe bleeding
• Dialysis for kidney failure
• Fluids through a vein (intravenous fluids)

Expectations (prognosis):

Yellow fever varies in severity. Severe infections with internal bleeding and fever (hemorrhagic fever) are deadly in up to half of cases.

Complications:

• Coma
• Death
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Parotitis
• Secondary bacterial infections
• Shock

Calling your health care provider:

Get medical attention at least 10 - 14 days before traveling to an endemic area for yellow fever to find out whether you should be vaccinated against the disease.

Tell your health care provider right away if you or your child develop fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or jaundice, especially if you have traveled to an area where yellow fever is known to occur.

Prevention:

If you will be traveling to an area where yellow fever is common:

• Sleep in screened housing
• Use mosquito repellents
• Wear clothing that fully covers your body

There is an effective vaccine against yellow fever. Ask your doctor at least 10 - 14 days before traveling if you should be vaccinated against yellow fever.