Adventure Doc Yellow Fever

keeping you healthy for life's adventures

Erik McLaughlin MD, MPH

An Arbovirus spread via arthropods (mosquitos) in the genus Flavivirus. Symptoms include fever, head and backaches, fatigue and nausea. May progress to hemorrhagic complications and/or liver failure. This is a vaccine preventable disease and proof of vaccinization is often required at customs.

Only in Africa and South America. No reported cases in Asia.

Transmission/ Incubation:

Bites from infected Aedes species mosquitoes in cities or Haemagogus species in jungles. Main vector is Aedes Aegypti. Incubation of 3-6 days.

Vaccinization lasts for 10 years and is a live virus. Contraindicated with egg allergy, immunocompromised, pregnancy or less that 9 months old individuals. Mosquito awareness/ bite prevention (see malaria section for more information on this).

ELISA and/or IgM antibodies

This is a vaccine preventable disease, treatment once infected is supportive.

South America 2007
Yellow Fever zones

Africa 2007
Yellow Fever zones

Yellow Fever is a viral disease that receives much attention worldwide, especially when you are traveling to or from an area that has Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever takes its name from the jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to accumulation of waste products in the body) it causes. Yellow fever also causes fever, vomiting, headache, malaise (aches and pains), decreased urine output and fatigue. The virus generally causes flu-like symptoms that last for approximately five days. Rarely, hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding) occurs from various sites in the body such as the intestines, causing bloody stools, or the nose and gums. Yellow fever carries about a 5% mortality rate, meaning that if you get it, you have a 5% chance of death. Yellow fever is found in Africa and South America. People can get infected with yellow fever from being bitten by the Anopheles mosquito (yes, the same one that carries malaria) or the Aedes species. Read the section about malaria for tips on how to avoid being bitten. The good thing about Yellow Fever is that there is a vaccine that works very well in preventing the disease.

The vaccine is grown in chicken eggs. Yes, I said chicken eggs. The virus is injected into a chicken egg and grows using the nutrients of the egg as fuel. The vaccine is attenuated (it has been killed before it is injected into humans). The Yellow Fever vaccine is given as a single injection and is safe for children as young as 6 months old. The vaccine is advised for immunocompetent (strong immune system) HIV patients, too. The only problem is if you are allergic to chicken eggs or other vaccines made the same way. The WHO says that the vaccine must be repeated every 10 years, although experts feel that the vaccine offers protection for up to 30-35 years. The vaccine takes about 5-10 days to become effective, which means you can’t show up to your doctor’s office the night before your trip and expect the vaccine to work the next day when you land. Plan ahead!

If you are traveling to an area where Yellow Fever is know to occur, you have to have proof that you’ve been vaccinated. This is done by having your doctor or nurse, who gives you the vaccine, fill out one of the yellow immunizations cards for international travelers. Don’t lose it, because they will send you back home if you don’t have this card! If you are traveling internationally, it is a good idea to have one of the cards made. This is a record of all your immunizations, for your entire life. It is sometimes difficult to get them all entered accurately, but this is why you are using a travel medicine doctor, they specialize in this stuff!