Yellow Fever

Overview

How can I get sick?

• Yellow fever virus is spread to humans by mosquito bites. These mosquitos live in different areas- some live around homes and others live in the jungle. Yellow fever infects both humans and monkeys in tropical rainforests.   

Symptoms in humans:  

Most people do not become sick, but some people experience the following: 

• Fever (when your body gets a little hotter than normal) 
• Muscle pain 
• Back pain 
• Headache  
• Not feeling hungry 
• Feeling like you need to throw up 
• Throwing up 

Some people can get very sick and experience the following: 

• High fever (when your body gets much hotter than normal) 
• Jaundice (skin and eyes turn yellow) 
• Dark urine (your pee is dark in color) 
• Stomach pain 
• Vomiting  
• Bleeding from mouth, nose, eyes or stomach 

What can I do to stay healthy? 

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. 

• Use insect repellents* while hiking, camping, hunting, or being outside. Ask an adult to help you with insect repellent*.  

• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks when outside.   
• Treat your clothes, gear (boots, tents, backpacks or camping gear), or any outdoor equipment with insect repellent*.  
• Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.  
• Remove anything that will bring mosquitoes into your home. For example, emptying standing water from pots, buckets, barrels, and other containers.  

What to do when traveling overseas 

• Use insect repellents* while hiking, camping, hunting, or being outside. Ask an adult to help you with insect repellent*.  
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks when outside.   
• Treat your clothes, gear (boots, tents, backpacks or camping gear), or any outdoor equipment with insect repellent*.  
• Choose a hotel or place to stay that has air conditioning or windows and doors with screens to keep mosquitos outside.  
• Use mosquito nets when sleeping outside or if you are staying in a room with no screens on windows or doors.  

There is a vaccine available for yellow fever, contact your doctor or healthcare provider to find out more information and how you can get it.  

*Definitions: 

• Insect Repellent: Product applied to skin, clothing or surfaces to keep insects away.