Even though “yellow fever” is not known by many, it is something that affects certain parts of the world. Occupational Medicine in Cincinnati OH covers this type of issue (and hundreds of others), especially if the person affected does so while on-the-job. The people who live or travel in the intertropical zones of Africa and America are the first to be affected. An estimated 900 million people are at risk of yellow fever, including more than 500 million in Africa. Despite the existence of an effective vaccine, yellow fever epidemics have increased in these areas over the past 20 years: about 200,000 people are affected each year, and 30,000 of them do not survive. The main reason is the increase in the number of mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of the disease.
How is yellow fever caught? A mosquito transmits the disease. When it bites a sick person (or a contaminated monkey), the mosquito keeps the virus inside its body. The insect then transmits it to the people it stings or bites. Yellow fever spreads very quickly. The mosquito carrying this virus can be found both in nature and near dwellings. After the bite, it takes about 3 to 6 days before the first signs of the disease appear.
What are the signs? Yellow fever is difficult to identify because the symptoms resemble those of dengue or malaria: fever, muscle aches, chills, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. Generally, the symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 days and the patient heals on their own. But in 15% of cases, fever comes back with stomach pains and vomiting, the skin turns yellow (hence the name of the disease), and blood seeps from the mouth, nose, eyes and/or stomach. In this case, a doctor dealing with Occupational Medicine in Cincinnati OH should be consulted very quickly.
Is there a treatment? No, there is no treatment for the yellow fever virus, which is why vaccination is essential. One can only relieve symptoms by fighting fever and dehydration. The most severe cases require extensive treatment in hospital, such as blood transfusions or dialysis when the kidneys are no longer working. To limit the risk of contagion, the patient is placed in quarantine for at least 5 to 6 days. For more information, contact Eastside Urgent Care today.
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