Fun facts about yellow fever

Yellow fever is carried by infected mosquitoes and is found in parts of tropical regions. The name refers to jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes that can occur when the illness affects the liver. Some infections are mild, but others move from an early fever phase to a more dangerous phase involving the liver, bleeding, or other organs. A person does not catch yellow fever through ordinary casual contact with someone who is infected.

If you are travelling to an area where yellow fever occurs, ask a travel-health professional about vaccination well before departure. Use insect repellent as directed, wear clothing that covers the arms and legs, and choose accommodation with screens or air conditioning when possible. Mosquito protection remains useful even after vaccination because other mosquito-borne infections may circulate in the same setting. Keep your vaccination record with your travel documents if an entry certificate may be required.

After travel to an affected area, seek urgent medical care for fever with yellowing of the eyes or skin, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding, confusion, severe weakness, or worsening abdominal pain. Tell the clinician where you travelled and when symptoms began. These features can signal serious infection and need prompt assessment, even if you received a vaccine or used mosquito protection.

Ask whether your destination has a yellow-fever vaccination recommendation, how early vaccination should be arranged, and which mosquito precautions fit your itinerary. You can also ask what symptoms should prompt care during travel and after returning home.