Yellow fever

Overview

Yellow fever is a viral infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes found in tropical Africa and Central and South America. An asymptomatic or mild progression with flu-like symptoms is normal. However, a second disease phase with a high mortality rate can occur, during which patients suffer from severe bleeding. Vaccination is recommended and is sometimes compulsory for travellers to the tropics.

Symptoms

• Incubation period: 3-6 days

Mild progression

Asymptomatic or mild progression is normal

• Flu-like symptoms
  • Sudden onset of fever and chills
  • Headaches and joint pains
  • Nausea and vomiting

Severe progression

Second, toxic phase after a short period of recovery (approx. 15% of infections)

• Fever rises again and organ damage occurs
• So-called haemorrhagic fever: coagulation disorders
  • Severe internal bleeding
  • Nosebleeds
  • Vomiting of blood (sometimes black)
  • Blood in stools
  • Bleeding from skin and mucous membranes
• Liver damage: yellow skin
• Death is caused by multiple organ failure (in approx. 20% of cases)

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Pathogen:
  • Yellow fever virus (family of flaviviruses: Zika, dengue fever, TBE virus)
  • Where found: tropics, so-called “yellow fever belt” (Africa, Central and South America)
• Transmission
  • Bite by infected tiger mosquito (yellow fever mosquito)

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Blood test (search for pathogen)

Possible therapies

• No way to treat the causes
• Treatment of symptoms
  • Painkillers and fever-reducing medication
• Hospitalisation in intensive care unit may be needed

What can I do myself?

• Travel preparations
  • Obtain travel information (entry regulations, etc.)
  • Medical advice for travellers
  • Vaccination (see below)
• Yellow fever vaccination
  • Approved vaccination centres according to FOPH list
  • At least 10 days before departure
  • Vaccination is compulsory for entry to some countries
  • Vaccine provides lifelong protection
• Mosquito protection
  • Light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing
  • Mosquito net
  • Suitable and tested insect repellent
  • Don't go outside at dusk or at night

When to see a doctor?

• Fever during or up to three weeks after returning from a trip to the tropics or sub-tropics
• Unexplained bleeding from the skin
• Vomiting of blood, blood in urine
• Yellowish discolouration of skin/eyes
• For medical advice and vaccination before travelling to the tropics

Further information

Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH (Bundesamt für Gesundheit, BAG)
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home.html

Ostschweizer Infostelle für Reisemedizin (Eastern Switzerland Information Centre for Travel Medicine)
www.osir.ch

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut)
www.swisstph.ch

FDFA (travel links)
www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en

Synonyms

yellow fever, YF, yellow plague, yellow jack, bronze john, Siamese illness