What is Yellow Fever ?
Yellow fever is a serious virus infection which is found in South America and parts of Africa. It is spread via a bite from an infected mosquito. It does not spread from one person to another.
Patients will display symptoms like fever, jaundice, flu-like illness, hemoptysis (vomit blood), bleeding from multiple sites, multi-organ failure (liver, kidney and lung failure) and also death. All patients infected with yellow fever need to be hospitalised.
It is preventable with yellow fever vaccine for travellers travelling to affected areas. The certificate of vaccination is valid from ten days post vaccination and up to ten years. This certificate if required for travellers to get to certain countries.
Other preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites include using effective mosquito repellent, stay in air-conditioned/ well-screened rooms and wear clothes that cover most parts of body.
Yellow fever is a serious virus infection which is found in South America and parts of Africa. It is spread via a bite from an infected mosquito. It does not spread from one person to another.
Patients will display symptoms like fever, jaundice, flu-like illness, hemoptysis (vomit blood), bleeding from multiple sites, multi-organ failure (liver, kidney and lung failure) and also death. All patients infected with yellow fever need to be hospitalised.
It is preventable with yellow fever vaccine for travellers travelling to affected areas. The certificate of vaccination is valid from ten days post vaccination and up to ten years. This certificate if required for travellers to get to certain countries.
Other preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites include using effective mosquito repellent, stay in air-conditioned/ well-screened rooms and wear clothes that cover most parts of body.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine is a live weakened vaccine that is given as a shot, with a booster ten years later for those who are at continued risk/living in countries with cases of yellow fever virus. It is recommended for :
Yellow fever vaccine is a live weakened vaccine that is given as a shot, with a booster ten years later for those who are at continued risk/living in countries with cases of yellow fever virus. It is recommended for :
- People 9 months and older who are travelling to/ living in country where yellow fever vaccine is required for them.
- Laboratory personnel who are at constant exposure to the virus/ vaccine.
Contraindications to yellow fever vaccine
- Infants younger than 6 months old
- Anyone who had severe reaction/anaphylactic reaction to contents of vaccine including gelatin, eggs and chicken proteins.
- Immune-compromised patients who are undergoing cancer treatment , on long term steroids and HIV/AIDs patients should see a doctor first before deciding the risks versus benefits of the vaccine.
- Pregnant and lactating women should avoid vaccination and avoid travelling to affected areas.
- Adults older than 60 years old should discuss with their doctor on vaccination as they are at higher risk of side effects.
Side Effects of Yellow fever Vaccination
Major side effects are very rare. Minor side effects include fever, body ache, redness/swelling at site of injection with an occurrence of 25%. These minor side effects usually begin immediately after shot but can occur up to one week post vaccination.
Severe reactions are very rare; they include:
Major side effects are very rare. Minor side effects include fever, body ache, redness/swelling at site of injection with an occurrence of 25%. These minor side effects usually begin immediately after shot but can occur up to one week post vaccination.
Severe reactions are very rare; they include:
- severe nervous system reaction (1 in 125000)
- Life threatening organ failure (1 in 250000)
- Severe allergic reaction to components of vaccine (1 in 55000)
