Don’t forget your immunization for yellow fever before leaving NYC

Traveling to a South America soon? If so, take note that it’s about to experience its rainy season, which brings with it increased risk for mosquito borne diseases such as yellow fever. You can avoid this catastrophe by visiting a travel clinic for a yellow fever immunization nyc before journeying south. 

Yellow fever is a virus that affects human and nonhuman primates in mostly tropical parts of the world. An infected female mosquito bites the host, forcing about 1000 to 100,000 virus particles into the human bloodstream. The virus typically immediately starts replicating within the skin cells at the site of injection before spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The virus tends to favor the lymphoid cells for primary replication, and utilizes its channels and the bloodstream to infect other organs. Once in the liver and spleen very large amounts of the virus starts replicating and gets released tenfold into the bloodstream.

About three to six days after infection the virus may be transmitted to a mosquito that in turn can infect another person. There are three possible modes of transmission depending on the area where incubation occurs all the more reason to get a travel vacciantion.

Jungle (sylvatic):   Primate-insect-human
If you are journeying into a tropical forest in South America this is the most likely mode of transmission. Because yellow fever affects human and nonhuman primates, the transmission cycle in jungle areas typically moves from primate to mosquito to a human exploring the area.

Savannah (intermediate):    Human-insect-primate-insect-human
If you are traveling to Africa and more rural parts of S. America this is the most typical mode of transmission you’ll experience. The Aedes spp. mosquito that carries the virus breeds well in tree holes in these areas. And considering that humans often work and live near these jungle borders, the cycle is just as likely to start with humans as it is with monkeys.

Urban:   Human-insect-human
Cities nearby jungle and savannah areas experience this mode of transmission, where mosquitos transmit the virus from human to human. During the rainy season, local cities are considered to be at high risk for a yellow fever endemic due to this possible mode of transmission within large groups of humans.

Roughly three to six days after infection the host begins feeling symptoms from the virus. People typically suffer from fever, headache, chills backache, muscle pains and vomiting. These symptoms characterize organ dysfunction, especially in the liver and kidneys. If the illness persists for two week patients have two outcomes: rapid recovery or death. About 20 to 50 percent of people who reach this period do not survive.  

A preventive strategy is the best way to treat yellow fever, as there is currently no anti-viral medication available for it. A yellow fever immunization shot offers the highest level of protection against the disease, with nearly 100 percent effectiveness for people who receive the shot 3-4 weeks before traveling to endemic areas. 

If you are in need of a yellow fever vaccination, or any vaccine for that matter, visit this travel clinic in NYC to get all of your health needs taken care for travel. It’s fully certified to distribute the yellow fever shot, which not all doctor’s offices can claim. Your doctor is also incredibly experienced in international travel and can tell you everything you need to know for wherever you wish to go. Just easily set up an appointment by visiting their website at NYC travel clinic or calling their office at 212-696-5900.

Traveling to interesting, tropical parts of the world doesn’t have to be dangerous if you know the proper preventative health procedures. Be sure to get all the needed immunizations before taking off.