Yellow Fever’s Home

Does every mosquito bite lead to illness? Would it pose a health risk if one single bite occurs? It’s the question that goes through many people’s mind and after years of reports of epidemic viruses being transmitted through mosquito bites, it comes to no surprise as to why one would have a reason to worry even just a little bit. This is an everyday worry for citizens of many tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world and because vaccination is expensive or sometimes not available, the mortality rate becomes high.

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease that is carried by mosquitoes and transmitted through single bites. The disease principally infects the liver and if not treated, the virus can permanently damage it and eventually cause a cardiovascular shock along with a multi-organ failure which in turn can lead to death. 

In continents such as Central Africa and South America that contain countries in the tropics, more than 600 million people live in areas that are endemic and are at risk for infection. The virus is not contagious from human to human contact but if a mosquito bites an individual who has the virus and then moves on to bite another who does not, the virus can enter the person. Over the last 400 years, there have been periods of outbreaks that have lasted between 2-8 years in these countries. Even in recent memory, outbreaks have taken place. In the early 1990’s, an outbreak took place in Kenya that lasted nearly two years and then another in Sudan from 2003 to 2005. In South America, outbreaks took place in earlier periods of the 17^th and 19^th century with the latter believed to have taken place during the slave trades of that time.

In total, about 44 countries pose risks of infection if an individual has yet to have immunization of any sorts. Despite the advancement of medicine within the last two decades, yellow fever have seen increases over the years in the number of cases due to declining population immunity to infection, deforestation, urbanization, population movements, climate change, and the costs of immunization in the less developed countries. Some people, mostly the poor population of these countries, do not have the conditions or financial stability to afford medical care which also eliminates any chance for treatment should infection take place. In response to these conditions, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the secretariat for the International Coordinating Group for Yellow Fever Vaccine Provision (ICG). Its’ main purpose is to maintain emergency stockpiles of yellow fever vaccines to ensure rapid responses to outbreaks in countries that pose high risks for endemics. Since 2007, 12 countries have completed preventive yellow fever vaccination campaigns.

Rapid responses have taken place through emergency vaccination campaigns for controlling outbreaks, but under-reporting is still a prime concern despite initiative steps taken for prevention and combat of the virus. The true number of cases is estimated to be 10 to 250 times to what has been reported. So if you are planning to travel to regions where yellow fever is prominent, vaccination is a necessity and it is recommended that you contact your local health care provider in New York if you are considering Yellow Fever Vaccination. It poses no major health risks and is known to provide 10 years of immunity to the virus. For more information, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment. As I always say, a clean bill of health is always bliss!

The Time Is Now! : Yellow Fever Vaccination On the Rise

Summer may be gone but the door is still opened for mosquitoes to begin making their presence known. One would think that a bite from one of these insects is nothing to be concerned about because it is very common, but mosquitoes have been known to sometimes carry and transmit certain life-threatening diseases to people. One of the most dangerous is yellow fever.

No, this is not an article about mosquitoes but it is about how soon we must combat the threat of yellow fever, which especially in tropical regions around the globe has become more prevalent in recent years. Now, this is not to inflict fear upon anyone who is planning to enjoy a vacation on a nice beach or resort in some tropical region of any sorts but of course, our health is the most precious yet sensitive entity we must take care, especially if we are planning to visit regions where mosquitoes that carry yellow fever are common.

The mosquitoes that carry the virus principally exist in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. Symptoms of the virus become noticeable about three to six days after exposure. Yellow fever in its’ early stages presents flu-like symptoms such as fever, consistent headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches which makes the virus hard to detect and differentiate from other illnesses. Only in its’ later stages do the more critical symptoms appear such as liver damage, bleeding of the gums, bloody urination, the slowing down and weakening of the pulse which leads to the occurrence of jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin). If not treated, internal bleeding can worsen which in turn can lead to permanent damage of the liver and ultimately even death. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 200,000 new cases of the virus every year with 30,000 of those cases becoming fatal.

 
According to the Department of Health from New York, there is reportedly no specific treatment for yellow fever but the only solution recommended to prevent infection would be immunization (or vaccination) especially for travelers who are planning to travel to areas where the virus exists. How soon should it be taken? If you are planning to travel this summer, the time is now. If you were considering possibly just taking a repellant against mosquitoes, it is no guarantee that it’ll prevent mosquito bites especially since most repellants wear off after only a couple of hours. 

The yellow fever vaccination is being highly recommended for travelers. No worries should be taken into consideration when pondering about the side effects as they are known to be only minor flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. It occurs in up to 1 out of 4 persons and wears off after only a couple of days.  

Taking the time to schedule an appointment to receive vaccination would be bliss for you! Why? According to an article published by the World Health Organization in its’ Weekly Epidemiological Record, it is revealed that SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization) has reviewed and concluded that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient enough to conjure life-long immunity against the virus! The time is now, it is not too late to schedule an appointment at a travel vaccination clinic for a yellow fever vaccination. For more info, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment.

Stay Away from Mosquitoes and Aware of Yellow Fever

Are you looking forward to exotic travels, having finally found that chance to make your way to South America or Africa? Well, while you’re deciding what to pack for your next adventure, be sure to consider taking the vaccine for yellow fever before you leave.

What’s Yellow Fever?          

It’s important for travelers to central and western Africa as well as parts of Latin America to be knowledgeable of the risks posed by yellow fever. This illness is transmitted by mosquitoes, which acquire a virus from infected primates or humans and then pass it on to others who are bitten. Yellow fever is marked by three types of transmission cycles, and may be acquired in jungle (sylvan), savannah (intermediate), and city (urban) settings.

How can it affect me?

The majority of individuals infected by the yellow fever virus show no symptoms; but each year, many do suffer signs of the illness following an incubation period of three to six days after infection. Affected individuals often experience a sudden fever, chills, intense headache, back pain, body aches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. Once the virus does develop into the illness, the only course of action is to treat symptoms in order to provide comfort, meanwhile allowing the immune system to fight the fever.

Many patients improve after this “acute” phase, which lasts three to four days; but, 15% of patients go on to develop a more severe hemorrhagic fever after an initial remission period of about 24 hours. The high fever characteristic of the illness returns, and now affects multiple body systems. Yellow fever’s victims quickly develop the jaundice for which the virus is named, and may experience abdominal pain as well as vomiting. Bleeding can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach, and appears in the vomit and feces. Kidney function deteriorates, and up to half of all patients who enter this toxic phase expire within two weeks.

How can I protect myself?        

Due to the difficulty of diagnosing yellow fever from its initial symptoms, and the potentially dire effects of disease progression, it is absolutely necessary for at risk travelers to protect themselves against the illness. Mosquito repellent is always recommended, but the best course of action is to get the yellow fever vaccination before embarking! The yellow fever vaccine is safe, affordable, and highly effective. A single dose of the vaccine can provide immunity within 30 days, and remains effective for a lifetime without an additional booster shot!

If you are affected by HIV, have primary immune deficiency, or are engaging in an immunosuppressive therapy, it is not appropriate to receive the yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, the vaccine should not be given to children under six months of age or individuals with allergies to albumin. If you are over 60 years of age, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before vaccination. In all other circumstances, be sure to visit your closest immunization clinic a month before traveling!

Not So Mellow Yellow: Why You Should be Vaccinated for Yellow Fever

Along with sensitive bites and a talent for spreading infectious diseases, yellow fever provides just one more reason to hate mosquitoes. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, a human being can experience symptoms ranging from a headache to significant hemorrhaging. Fortunately, there are two effective lines of defense against the disease: awareness and prevention. Read on to better arm yourself against yellow fever, and to determine whether or not you are a candidate for vaccination.

Yellow Fever Vaccine: A Medical Gift to the Intrepid Traveler

Headed to Africa or South America? The tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America have the highest rate of yellow fever infection in the world. While there are undoubtedly certain locations with a lesser likelihood of exposure or a lower number of reported cases, vaccination is the only means of definitively protecting yourself while traveling in these areas.

It takes 10 to 14 days for the vaccine to become fully effective, so it is essential that you schedule your vaccination well before you enter a high-risk region.

Avoiding a Slew of Unpleasant (Potentially Life-threatening) Symptoms

Yellow fever progresses in three phases, with symptoms becoming more serious over time.

The first three to six days after exposure to the virus constitute the incubation period. No symptoms occur during this time, rendering the virus that much more illusory and difficult to treat in a promptly manner.

The second stage of yellow fever, known as the acute phase, is when the trouble really begins. Achiness, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, and as the name suggests, fever, comprise the most common symptoms seen during the acute phase. These signs typically last a few days, and often clear up before yellow fever moves into its most severe phase.

Unpleasant as these symptoms are, their seriousness pales in comparison to the virus’ third stage, known as the toxic phase. Upon entering into the toxic phase, a number of the symptoms from the acute phase recur with even greater intensity. This resurgence is coupled with the appearance of more extreme and potentially life-threatening symptoms, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, usually related to liver and kidney dysfunction or failure), abdominal pain and vomiting, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and eyes, heart irregularity, and brain dysfunction.

Prevention and Treatment

You should seek medical care at the first sign of symptoms. Unfortunately, because yellow fever is a viral disease, treatment cannot eradicate the infection. Rather, treatment consists of combating symptoms as they occur, and ensuring that the body maintains healthy fluid, oxygen, and blood pressure levels. During the toxic phase, kidney dialysis and blood transfusion may be necessary.

Yellow fever is fatal in 20 to 50 percent of cases, with a likelihood of death increasing in older adults. Nevertheless, everyone is equally susceptible to the virus when entering into high-risk areas. Due to the viral character of the disease, the best approach is prevention – a simple yellow fever vaccination at a certified travel clinic– rather than treatment after exposure.

Planning For Healthy Travel: Yellow Fever Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that approximately 4 million travelers to developing regions are ill enough to seek health care, either while abroad or upon returning home. While traveling internationally is already a painstaking process, involving visas, careful planning, packing, itineraries, a trip to the travel clinic must also be added to this list.

 The CDC notes that in order to ensure a healthful business or tourist excursion, one must adopt some preventative measures. In accordance with the Travel Health Notices they publish consistently, are necessary travel vaccinations. One such is the yellow fever vaccine. Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The "yellow" in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients once bitten. According to the World Health Organization, 50% of severely affected persons will die if left untreated. Given these sorts of statistics, preventative measures are most responsible.

  

While there are many reasons to get vaccinated for yellow fever, the acute rapidity of the illness is most alarming. Once bitten, symptoms will ensue within 3 to 6 days. The symptoms of Stage 1 infection include  Headache, muscle and joint aches, fever, flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice are common. Though symptoms often go away briefly after about 3 to 4 days and stage 2 may be possible remission, some persons worsen drastically within 24 hours. Stage 3, called intoxication is marked by problems with many organs including heart, liver, and kidney failure, bleeding disorders, seizures, coma, and delirium.

In order to prevent these caustic symptoms and possible death, a yellow fever vaccine should be prearranged at a certified travel clinic about 10 to 14 days before traveling. Ultimately, alongside the three pairs of bright swimsuits you’re packing, sunscreen and new shoes you bought yesterday just for this excursion, should be travel vaccines. The yellow fever vaccine is but one that may be necessary.