Yellow fever

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment for symptoms can include:

• Blood products for severe bleeding
• Dialysis for kidney failure
• Fluids through a vein (intravenous fluids)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Yellow fever ranges in severity. Severe infections with internal bleeding and fever (hemorrhagic fever) are deadly in up to half of cases.

Possible Complications

• Coma
• Death
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Parotitis
• Secondary bacterial infections
• Shock

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Get medical attention at least 10 - 14 days before travelling to an endemic area for yellow fever to find out whether you should be vaccinated against the disease.

Tell your health care provider right away if you or your child develop fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or jaundice, especially if you have traveled to an area where yellow fever is known to occur.

References

Bryan CS. Yellow fever in the Americas. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2004; 18(2): 275-92.

Cohen J, Powderly WG. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2004:2095-2098.

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:1578-1580.