{"id":5517,"date":"2019-04-10T03:26:26","date_gmt":"2019-04-10T03:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5517"},"modified":"2021-03-30T16:16:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T16:16:34","slug":"14-things-to-know-about-yellow-fever-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-things-to-know-about-yellow-fever-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things to Know About Yellow Fever Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you traveling to a high-risk area for yellow fever? Governments of certain countries require tourists to receive a yellow fever vaccine before granting them admission. Some authorities do not have these requirements, so make sure you check with the relevant authorities before you book your flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those countries that do require vaccination, individuals must receive a record in their International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis by their chosen healthcare provider. Before you make your travel itinerary, its best to call your doctor and arrange a vaccination \u2013 or you may run the risk of being held and deported from your destination back to your country of origin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yellow fever is a dangerous disease spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms start to show up as soon as a week to two weeks after the initial infection \u2013 when the incubation period ends. Here is everything you need to know about the yellow fever vaccine before you make your travel plans.
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1.    Immunization Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any vaccination<\/a>, it takes time for the immune system to build resistance. Most vaccines, including the treatment for resistance to yellow fever, contain a small dose of the cells. By injecting them into the bloodstream, it gives the body a chance to build a resistance to the disease by identifying the invading pathogens and releasing antibodies and white blood cells to prevent the spread of the virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of building some immunity to the vaccine, the body is now better prepared to handle the infection, should you receive a bite from an infected mosquito. In some cases, people who receive a vaccine may develop very mild symptoms of the disease as the body builds up its resistance and ramps up immune activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the duration of time that it takes to build immunity, doctors recommend you visit their offices for vaccination six to eight weeks before leaving for your destination.
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2.    Immunity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike most other vaccines that require booster shots after three, five, or ten years \u2013 as is the case with tetanus inoculations, yellow fever<\/a> only requires one administration of the vaccine. One dose is enough material to increase your immunity to the disease, and once your body establishes the antibodies necessary to fight off the disease, you won\u2019t need a booster shot at a future date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to your doctor about arranging your vaccination. The entire process takes a few minutes, and the injection is a painless experience. For those that hate needles, look away during the procedure, and you\u2019ll barely feel the doctor administer the shot. Some people may notice a slight tingling sensation as the physician pushes the plunger on the syringe to administer the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After receiving your inoculation against yellow fever, your doctor will complete your record of vaccination in the International Certificate of Vaccination, allowing you to travel to high-risk countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.    People who Do and Do Not Need the Yellow Fever Vaccine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Individuals who require inoculation with the yellow vaccine include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Anyone over the age of nine months that\u2019s traveling to a high-risk zone, such as South America or Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People who work with the virus <\/a>in laboratories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who do not need the vaccine include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Children under the age of nine months old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Anyone who experiences allergic reactions to previous doses of the vaccine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Anyone who has allergies to eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Anyone with a weakened immune system \u2013 such as those individuals recently recovering from another type of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Anyone who has experience with thymic disorders such as thymoma or myasthenia gravis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to your doctor before receiving the vaccine. Your physician will take your medical history and ask you a set of questions to determine if there is any risk of issuing you with the treatment. If you are in the category of people that cannot receive the vaccine, you may want to avoid traveling to high-risk areas for yellow fever.
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4.    Pregnancy and Immunization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women and those new mothers breastfeeding infants under the age of nine-months-old \u2013 should not receive the yellow fever vaccine<\/a>. Speak to your doctor about preventative strategies if you\u2019re traveling to a high-risk area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby, avoid travel to these high-risk zones. However, if it\u2019s not possible to cancel the trip, then load up on the insect repellant before you get to your destination. Many countries in Africa and South America realize that foreigners will do anything to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, you may find that local supplies of mosquito repellant feature substantial markups on their pricing, and you could end up paying up to 7-times more for a bottle of the repellant than you would back in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear long-sleeves and sweat pants in the evening to avoid being bitten, and always sleep under mosquito netting.
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5.    Pre-Immunization <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The yellow fever vaccine injects a small quantity of the virus into your bloodstream<\/a>. This tiny dose produces an immune response, sending white blood cells and antibodies to kill off the infection. It\u2019s this process that helps your body build its immunity to the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, injecting someone with viral material presents a significant health risk if the individual receiving the shot has current health complications. Review the following checklist before you make your appointment with your health professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Are you and your partner trying for a child?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Are you feeling unwell, with a temperature above 38.5 \u02daC?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Do you have any existing allergies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Have you ever experienced an adverse reaction to a vaccine in the past?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Do you have any disease or condition that lowers your immune response?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Are you taking any over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then reconsider your travel plans and avoid areas with yellow fever on your travel itinerary.
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6.    Side Effects of the Vaccine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vaccinations against yellow fever are generally safe for individuals outside of the risk groups mentioned above. However, as with every other medication available, there is a risk of developing side effects to the immunization<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unwanted side effects from the vaccine are due to the increase in the presence of pyrogens in your bloodstream. Pyrogens are compounds that increase your body\u2019s internal temperature in response to infection.  As a result, you may notice the following side effects after receiving your vaccination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Mild headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Low fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Muscle aches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the inoculated individual may experience some localized swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site in the four days following the vaccination. Most people can get through these symptoms without any hassle, but doctors may recommend paracetamol to reduce symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a chance that you could develop an allergic response to the vaccine. Doctors may ask you to remain at their office for 15-minutes after administration to ensure you don\u2019t experience an adverse reaction.
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7.    HALO and Immunization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Doctors determine your immunization needs using a process called \u201cHALO.\u201d Your health, age, lifestyle<\/a>, and occupation play a significant role in deciding if you need the vaccination, and what dosage is appropriate for your situation. Doctors may refuse to treat patients with the vaccine that they think may experience adverse health effects from the inoculation to yellow fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will go through the high-risk factors for people that should not receive a vaccination to determine if you qualify for treatment. However, they have the right to refuse you treatment if they think that you could suffer health repercussions from the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to your doctor, and never go over their head to receive a vaccine from another health provider. Lying about your criteria for the vaccine could put your life in jeopardy if you develop a severe allergic response to the medication. It\u2019s best to leave the vaccination and alter your travel plans \u2013 than to take a risk with your health.
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8.    Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those individuals who fall into the group that should not be vaccinated, and still have to travel to a high-risk region for yellow fever, should review this list of prevention tips to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, insect repellant is the best way to ensure you don\u2019t get bitten by mosquitoes on your trip. Bring your repellant with you, and apply it regularly throughout the day and evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mosquitoes are most active in the evening and early morning. During this time, it\u2019s best to wear a top with long sleeves and pants to avoid exposing your skin to mosquitoes. Stay in accommodation that offers air-con in the room and screens over the windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase a mosquito net before you travel and soak it in insect repellant<\/a>. Pack it in a plastic bag in your luggage and use it throughout your trip to avoid bites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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