Nursing management of yellow fever

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness. Early illness may cause fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and weakness, but some people become seriously unwell as the liver, kidneys or blood-clotting system are affected. Nurses monitor alertness, breathing, circulation, urine, bleeding, vomiting and changes in skin or eye colour.

There is no routine home treatment that replaces medical assessment. The team reviews travel history, mosquito exposure, medicines and other possible causes of fever, while arranging tests and specialist care when needed.

In hospital, care may include carefully supervised fluids, treatment for vomiting or pain, monitoring of blood glucose and organ function, and support for complications. Avoid alcohol and do not take extra medicines, especially products that can increase bleeding or strain the liver, unless a clinician approves them. Use mosquito protection around an infected person so mosquitoes cannot acquire and spread the virus.

Get emergency help for yellowing skin or eyes, confusion, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fainting, breathing difficulty or very little urine. Anyone who develops fever during or after travel to a yellow-fever-risk area should tell the clinician exactly where and when they travelled.

Ask which tests are needed, whether hospital monitoring is required, which medicines and fluids are safe, how to prevent mosquito bites, and whether yellow fever vaccination is appropriate for future travel.