Yellow fever is a severe viral disease with jaundice and hemorrhagic manifestations that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Yellow fever vaccine is the best protection against this disease. Travelers to areas where vaccination is recommended should be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel. Preventing mosquito bites is also important.
Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches, and develop 3–6 days after infection. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice), and sometimes death.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, laboratory testing, and travel history. There are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever.
