{"id":5369,"date":"2019-04-05T06:34:23","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T06:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5369"},"modified":"2021-03-30T14:36:29","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T14:36:29","slug":"14-early-signs-of-yellow-fever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-early-signs-of-yellow-fever\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Early Signs of Yellow Fever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Travelers visiting Africa and South America require vaccination against \u201cyellow fever.\u201d This viral infection spreads through the bite of mosquitos and comes in two different strains \u2013 one that presents mild symptoms, and another with severe health consequences. The aggressive type of yellow fever kills around 50-percent of all people infected with the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the milder strain of the disease is more prevalent and responsible for the majority of viral infections attributed to yellow fever. Individuals who contract the disease may not exhibit symptoms for the first two weeks after the infected mosquito bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this incubation stage, the virus gains maturity in the body, before it starts to produce symptoms in infected patients. There is no specific treatment to cure yellow fever, and all doctors can do is manage symptoms as they appear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight early signs of yellow fever. If you\u2019re visiting, or returning home from a trip to an infection zone and notice any of these early signs of infection \u2013 seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
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1.  Fever and Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the incubation period comes to an end and the virus reaches a critical mass, it starts to produce symptoms in infected individuals. One of the first signs of yellow fever <\/a>is the development of a headache. Since this symptom can have multiple causes, it\u2019s not often a clear indication of yellow fever, and many people brush it off to dehydration or another reason such as elevated stress levels from returning home from your travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this type of headache comes and goes, increasing in its intensity and duration as the virus progresses. The second sign of yellow fever infection is the onset of a fever. Symptoms are mild at first, advancing into a state when the intensity of the temperature may start to cause delirium and heavy sweating in the infected person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, the person may think they are coming down with a case of the flu and decide to stay in bed rather than find treatment.
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2.  Muscle Ache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This symptom is another flu-like condition that may confuse those people infected with yellow fever <\/a>into thinking they have an influenza infection. Muscle ache is relatively common in viral infections and an early warning sign of the condition. When it occurs alongside fever and headache \u2013 it\u2019s something that should be taken into consideration when evaluating your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle aches in patients with yellow fever tend to localize to the lower back and knees. Most influenza-induced muscle ache symptoms affect all the muscles in the body, making these localized symptoms of tissue pain a dead giveaway for yellow fever infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve recently returned home from traveling and start to experience muscle ache along with fever and headache \u2013 the chances are that you could have contracted yellow fever on your trip. Seek professional medical help to manage your symptoms immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat pain symptoms using painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to provide relief.
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3.  Light Sensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with the initial symptoms of fever and headache<\/a>, a person infected with the yellow fever virus may also notice they start to experience sensitivity to sources of light, such as the sun and bright indoor lighting. Looking into a light source may cause you to squint your eyes, and creates sensations of discomfort that force you to look away \u2013 similar to how you might feel if you looked directly into the sun for a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intensity of these symptoms varies from person to person, with some people experiencing severe sensitivity issues, while others barely notice it at all. Medical science is at a loss to explain the biomechanics of why light sensitivity occurs in people infected with yellow fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those patients experiencing light sensitivity may find some benefit from wearing dark, wrap-around sunglasses that block out intense sources of light such as light bulbs, television screens, and the sun.
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4.  Dizziness, Nausea, and Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yellow fever may cause complications with the normal function of the vestibular system, a network of nerves connecting from the base of the skull through the temporomandibular joint, and the ears. The vestibular system is responsible for keeping your sense of balance while your head moves at different angles in your direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yellow fever affects the normal functioning of these nerves<\/a>, resulting in symptoms of dizziness and vertigo, where the patient may not be able to stand up correctly without the feeling of falling over. As a result, many patients with yellow fever may need a wheelchair to help them get around while they are dealing with the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yellow fever can also affect the nerves in the gastrointestinal system, resulting in feelings of nausea that may result in vomiting. Doctors treat nausea with medications, but the dizziness symptoms have no treatment available other than bed rest for the infected person.
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5.  Appetite Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another early warning sign of yellow fever infection <\/a>is the patient\u2019s loss of appetite. As discussed, yellow fever may affect the nerves in the gastrointestinal system, causing issues with the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. As a result, they may find that they do not wish to eat anything, and may experience some weight loss due to the lack of calories consumed to meet metabolic demands by the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, these initial symptoms of yellow fever disappear after a few days, returning the patient’s appetite. However, if the patient still refuses to eat after the first week of presenting symptoms, they may be dealing with the more aggressive form of yellow fever and should check into a hospital for round-the-clock care under medical supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient refuses to eat, or can\u2019t hold anything down, doctors may administer an IV to prevent dehydration and mineral loss while the patient recovers.
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6.  Insomnia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients infected with yellow fever may develop insomnia along with their symptoms of fever, headache, and muscle pain. Insomnia <\/a>is a sleeping disorder where the brain remains in a conscious state, even if the body and mind feel tired and require sleep. The affected individual spends their evening tossing and turning, never reaching REM sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected patient may feel like they don\u2019t know if they slept last night, and the effects of a lack of sleep may exacerbate their symptoms of delirium and headaches. While we sleep, the brain clears neurological pathways of toxins accumulated during the waking hours of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the brain does not receive enough restorative sleep \u2013 REM sleep, then the patient runs the risk of developing mental health issues, such as paranoia and anxiety about their current state of health. Doctors treat insomnia with the use of sleeping drugs, such as Zolpidem tartrate.
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7.  Lack of Vaccination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re traveling to a high-risk yellow fever zone, then speak to your doctor about receiving the vaccine for the disease before you leave on your trip. Your doctor will recommend that you come in for your vaccination four weeks before your departure date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, people visiting these high-risk areas don\u2019t realize they need inoculation until they are close to their departure date and miss the four-week window necessary for the body to develop the immune response to the disease. As a result, the traveler may end up visiting a high-risk zone without receiving any form of vaccination <\/a>against yellow fever \u2013 making them a prime target for infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do have to travel to Africa or South America, and you don\u2019t have the time available to receive the vaccine, it’s best that you do all you can to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. Purchase some mosquito repellent as soon as you land at the airport, and use it frequently throughout your stay in the country.
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8.  Mosquito Bites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A mosquito bite is your first early warning sign of yellow fever. While not all mosquitoes carry the virus<\/a>, all it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito to contract the disease. If you\u2019re traveling in a high-risk zone for yellow fever, such as Africa or South America, then you need to review your body every morning for signs of mosquito bites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do notice bites, mark the date in your diary \u2013 this strategy will help you determine a timeline of infection to show medical staff should you start to develop symptoms of yellow fever. When traveling in high-risk areas, it\u2019s best to sleep in an air-conditioned room to prevent mosquito bites. If you\u2019re staying in a hotel with no air-con, then make sure you ask for a mosquito net. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cover up in the early morning and evenings when mosquitoes are most active, and you have the highest risk of being bitten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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