What is yellow fever?
Infected mosquitoes carry yellow fever and pass it onto humans through their bites. Yellow fever is a viral disease that has no known cure; the World Health Organisations says that half of those who develop serious symptoms die within ten days. It is thought that the number of people who do develop serious symptoms is a relatively low percentage.
Why is it called “yellow” fever?
Yellow fever affects your kidneys and liver, sometimes resulting in jaundice. Jaundice turns your skin yellow, hence the name yellow fever.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?
Symptoms of the fever present within 3-6 days, though some people won’t experience symptoms.
The symptoms of yellow fever include:
nausea with or without vomiting
fever
muscle pain
headache
fatigue
backache
loss of appetite
As stated above, some develop serious symptoms, which leads to a 50% fatality risk. These symptoms are known as the toxic phase.
Symptoms of the toxic phase are:
jaundice
abdominal pain
vomiting
dark urine
bleeding from facial orifices and stomach
What countries require the yellow fever vaccine?
The World Health Organisation recommends that people travelling to the following countries should get the yellow fever vaccine due to the risk of contracting the disease while visiting these countries:
In Africa:
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo
CôtedʼIvoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Sudan
South Sudan
Togo
Uganda
In America:
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Suriname
Trinidad (Trinidad only)
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
Visit The World Health Organisation for more information.
Why should I get the yellow fever vaccine?
We certainly recommend that all who travel to at-risk yellow fever countries should get the yellow fever vaccine. Why? The vaccination protects more than 99% of people (within 30 days of being vaccinated) against the disease. The yellow fever vaccination also provides life-long protection.
Yellow fever is a preventable yet incurable disease. So, prevention is the best method.
If that isn't reason enough, some countries may deny you entry if you’re unvaccinated and have recently been to an at-risk country. Australia will allow entry, but they will ask you questions to determine your risk of having the disease.
We are an accredited Yellow Fever Centre.
Here at The Clinic, we have a Travel Clinic and are an accredited Yellow Fever Centre.
If you are travelling soon and would like advice on what travel vaccinations or medicines you should get, book an appointment to see one of our doctors.
Call us on 9721 1400 or book an appointment online. If booking an appointment online, make sure you bring along your pre-filled travel assessment form.
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