Yellow Fever: Symptoms, Risks & Prevention - A Comprehensive Guide

Yellow fever is a very serious illness. While cases in America and other modernized countries are infrequent, the disease is still prevalent throughout other parts of the world, especially in Africa and South America. Yellow fever is carried and distributed to humans by infected mosquitoes. While many of yellow fever's symptoms are mild, untreated cases can be dangerous or even life threatening. To fight the illness, you'll first need to learn how to recognize the symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Take your temperature at the first hint that you might have been exposed to yellow fever. Your normal body temperature should be 98.6 degrees F. Once you've been infected with yellow fever, expect that temperature to rise rapidly.

• 2

  Watch for sudden chills. Chills can happen despite your body's rising internal temperature or the temperature of your room.

• 3

  Treat headaches as you normally would, but be aware that persistent headaches might be the sign of yellow fever exposure.

• 4

  Stay near the toilet, as vomiting might be the next sign that you've been infected with yellow fever. You may want to avoid eating too many solid foods during this period. Instead, drink a lot of clear fluids that are rich in vitamins and nutrients.

• 5

  Look for symptoms of exhaustion. Unexplained aches, back pain and general fatigue are often the product of yellow fever.

• 6

  Research the risk of damage to your internal organs. Yellow fever can sometimes lead to liver or kidney failure. Know the warning signs to recognize if your body is going in to shock, as you should immediately report to the emergency room.