Top 10 Signs and Symptoms of Yellow Fever.
Yellow fever is a virus contracted through mosquito bites, which is commonly found in
South America, Central America, and Africa.
When visiting these areas be sure to use insect repellent even when wearing clothes because
mosquitos have the ability to bite through thin fabrics.
Another way to prevent infection is to get inoculated before traveling.
Currently, the yellow fever vaccine is a single injection that consists of a living strain
of the virus that has been weakened.
Before traveling, it is a good idea to check the CDC website or ask your doctor what vaccinations
are recommended and if any are required.
There is no cure for the virus.
If you contract it, you will need to treat the symptoms with rest, fluids, and pain relievers.
Here is a list of signs and symptoms to be on the lookout if you have traveled to a country
in the affected parts of the world.
1.
Fever and Chills.
Normal internal body temperatures can fluctuate from person to person.
Temperature can also increase due to activity.
Typically, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, measured orally is considered normal.
When a person’s internal temperature rises, the muscles contract making the person feel
cold.
Some studies suggest that the body increases its temperature in an effort to disrupt and
hinder the growth of an invading pathogen, such as the yellow fever virus.
Once the virus has been subdued, the body will return to normal temperature.
The person will start feeling hot and will break a sweat.
Hyperpyrexia is when the body reaches an unsafe temperature of 106.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
This amount of internal heat is considered a medical emergency and you should seek medical
attention if you are approaching it.
2.
Headache.
Headaches come in a vast array of forms, and can be symptomatic of yellow fever.
Sharp, isolated pains and broad, dull aches.
Untreated, they will often dissipate on their own.
There are primary headaches, which are caused when there is too much activity in or around
pain sensitive structures in the brain.
These are commonly called tension headaches.
Nerves or the blood vessels respond to chemical activity in the brain, which changes frequently.
Secondary headaches are symptoms of other biological dysfunctions such as hangovers,
sinus infections and viruses.
Most people have experienced headaches and understanding your personal history with them
can help you decide if your symptoms are atypical.
Since headaches can be symptoms of very serious malfunctions in the brain, even signs of impending
stroke, always monitor the headache progression and see a doctor if the pain is unrelenting.
3.
Myositis.
Myositis, as in the inflammation of muscles usually resulting in aches, pains and even
spasms, can be a sign of yellow fever.
Viral infections can cause these muscle aches either by entering the muscle directly or
by releasing a substance that damages the muscle fibers.
This is not to be confused with typical myalgia, which is very common muscle pain.
Myositis can affect large groups of muscles.
Myalgia is typically centered on one muscle and dissipates quickly.
With myositis, the inflammation can be so severe as to interfere with the muscle’s
ability to contract.
This can cause muscle weakness.
If this happens, be vigilant because this can lead to unexpected balance issues and
potential falls.
Since muscle soreness can be caused by many things, don’t panic if your neck hurts after
you return from Costa Rica.
Keep an eye on it and be aware if other symptoms are also manifesting.
4.
Nausea or Vomiting.
Simply put, vomiting is the expulsion of the contents of the stomach either voluntarily
or involuntarily.
If exposure to yellow fever is a concern and vomiting begins, it is important to remember
that nausea is a symptom for many other conditions.
The onset of sickness can help you pinpoint the cause.
If you become sick soon after eating, you might be experiencing food poisoning, or you
might have an ulcer.
If vomiting occurs repeatedly, make sure you ingest electrolytes so that you don’t get
dehydrated.
Chronic vomiting can lead to dry lips and rapid pulse.
When vomiting continues to occur over a period of days with no relief, contact your doctor.
Another thing to watch for is blood becoming visible in the expelled material.
If this happens you may have torn the lining of your esophagus.
5.
Sensitivity to Light.
Photophobia is the loss of ability to tolerate light.
Not to be confused with heliophobia, which is the actual fear of light, photophobia is
a medical condition that can be connected to the nervous system.
It does not just apply to sunlight, but to any kind of light, even when you close your
eyes.
Burning in the eyes, tearing and in some cases headaches will come and go until the photophobia
goes away.
When caused by a virus such as yellow fever, photophobia is being triggered by inflammation
in the cornea and other parts of the eye.
Wearing sunglasses indoors in response to this condition is not a good idea as it will
dark train your eyes.
This will only exacerbate the problem.
Clearing the virus out of your system will also clear up the photophobia.
6.
No Appetite.
Everyone’s appetite ebbs and flows, but we live in a society that has trained us to
eat even if we aren’t hungry.
It is important not to jump to conclusions because you simply don’t feel like eating
when you think you should.
If you find that this symptom persists, there are simple ways to ensure that you are getting
necessary nutrients without having to force feed yourself whole meals.
Protein shakes and bars are a good temporary response to loss of appetite.
If you think you may have been exposed to yellow fever, it is even more important that
you make sure your body is getting nutrients.
Many factors contribute to your desire for food and drink beyond biological requirements.
If you find that you are depressed or are experiencing other symptoms, consult your
doctor.
7.
Red Eyes, Face, Tongue.
These conditions can be caused by several health ailments, some rather serious.
If your body is responding to a virus, redness in the eyes, face and tongue can be due to
inflammation.
The redness can also be the result of the bursting of the small capillaries in these
parts of your body.
Cold compresses can alleviate the discomfort caused by these symptoms.
In the case of redness on the tongue, cold drinks are a good substitute for a compress.
An antihistamine is another thing you might want to try.
Since other things can cause these physical conditions, such as allergic reactions, be
alert to see if the symptoms worsen or improve before deciding you have yellow fever.
If the symptoms persist or if your vision changes, you should call your doctor.
8.
Nose Bleeds.
The nose contains many small blood vessels that live very close to the surface.
Breaking them is actually quite easy.
Blowing your nose too hard can cause a nosebleed.
The inside of your nose is covered in a film of mucous, which protects these blood vessels.
In the case of something like yellow fever developing in the body, this mucous can dry
up causing excess air to pass over these vessels.
This can aggravate the blood vessels and cause a rupture.
Nosebleeds are relatively common, but the severity and frequency of the bleeding can
be cause for alarm.
If you get a nosebleed, tip your head forward, not backward.
You don’t want the blood to go down your throat because this might trigger choking.
Ice packs and pinching the nose closed for 10 minutes can stop the bleeding.
9.
Jaundice.
As hemoglobin from red blood cells breaks down, a compound called bilirubin is produced.
Jaundice occurs when too much bilirubin is present in the blood.
The liver has to labor to break it down, so that the body can excrete and eliminate it
through normal processes.
The result of an excess of this compound is that the skin, eyes and mouth take on a yellowish
hue.
In people suffering from yellow fever, jaundice occurs when the illness has reached the toxic
phase.
Signs of the virus become more severe.
Jaundice is a sign that the liver is having trouble doing its job.
Although the liver is a resilient organ, it is not all-powerful.
If you notice this symptom, it will likely be accompanied by others and should not be
ignored.
Consult your physician.
10.
Decreased Urination.
Oliguria, or simply called decreased urination is very specific; a urine output of less than
13.5 ounces in a 24-hour period is considered abnormal.
Several things can cause this condition, including a viral infection.
As the virus multiplies, the body goes into a form of shock, where all systems go into
attack and defense modes.
This reduces the flow of blood to vital organs.
As all of your systems malfunction the natural processes of digestion, which your kidneys
play a part in slow down.
This symptom is seen commonly in the acute stage of yellow fever and should never be
ignored.
Although very few, if any people, measure their urine output day to day, it will be
easy to determine if your output has dipped to an unsafe level.