The term ‘yellow fever’ is basically used to denote a viral infection that is largely spread by mosquitoes. Here’s a look into its symptoms, causes and treatment:
The symptoms of yellow fever
The one thing that needs to be mentioned here is that there are three stages of yellow fever. The stages have been categorized on the basis of intensity of symptoms. Discussed below are a few details regarding all three separate stages:
Stage 1 – Infection
The very first stage is that of infection. This particular stage is characterized by symptoms including loss of appetite, headache, fever, vomiting, flushing, pain in joints, muscular pain, and at times even jaundice. However, what needs to be noted here is that the symptoms remain present for a very short period of time, and go away in around 3-4 days at max.
Stage 2 – Remission
When a patient progresses into stage 2 of yellow fever, quite a few symptoms vanish along with fever. The thing is that a majority of people suffering from yellow fever would have already recovered from their condition at this stage. However, the downside is that those who continue to suffer may actually find their condition worsening in a period of 24 hours.
Stage 3 – Intoxication
This is the most intense of all stages of yellow fever. Here in, the patient would suffer from extreme problems with a majority of his or her bodily organs. The organs that are most commonly affected in this stage are inclusive of kidneys (kidney failure), heart and liver. Other symptoms that typically occur during this stage include bleeding disorders, coma, seizures, and delirium.
On the whole, the general symptoms of yellow fever are inclusive of:
- Fever
- Delirium
- Headache
- Irregular heart beats
- Decreased urination
- Coma
- Bleeding
- Jaundice
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Muscular pain etc.
What causes yellow fever?
Generally speaking, a virus (an RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus) that is typically carried by mosquitoes is the main cause of yellow fever. People basically catch this disease by getting bitten by a mosquito that is a carrier or is infected by the virus. The parts of the world where this virus is most common are those of sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Elderly individuals are at a severe risk of infection, although the virus can infect just about anyone. The symptoms typically tend to arise around 3-6 days after the individual gets bitten.
How is yellow fever diagnosed? What tests are conducted for it?
To begin with, it is necessary for an infected individual to visit their health care provider to get examined. The initial examination would reveal if the patient is suffering from kidney or liver failure and shock. Herein, the health care provider may ask whether the patient has recently traveled to any areas where this disease is found most commonly. Apart from that, blood tests would need to be performed as well to complete the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, there isn’t any general treatment for the condition itself. However, different treatment plans are to be formulated to treat the symptoms associate with it.