Yellow Fever

1. What is Yellow Fever?
   Yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever occurs in tropical regions of Africa and in parts of South America. Yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in U.S.travelers. The last epidemic of yellow fever in North America occurred in New Orleans in 1905.
   
   FastVax offers easy to get vaccinations of Yellow Fever in several convenient locations. Make a reservation on-line or call. (215) 996-1400   FastVax has been certified to give Yellow Fever vaccinations.
   
   
2. What causes yellow fever?
   Yellow fever is caused by infection with yellow fever virus, which is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
   
   
3. What can people do to prevent becoming infected with yellow fever virus?
   Yellow fever can be prevented by vaccination. Travelers should also take precautions against mosquito bites when in areas with yellow fever transmission.
   
   Travelers should get vaccinated for yellow fever before visiting areas where yellow fever occurs. In the United States, the vaccine is given only at designated yellow fever vaccination centers such as FastVax LLC. International regulations require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travel to and from certain countries. People who get vaccinated should be given an International Certificate of Vaccination.
   
   
4. What type of illness does yellow fever virus cause?
   Illness ranges in severity from a self-limited febrile illness to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever.  Many yellow fever infections are mild,but the disease can cause severe, life-threatening illness. Symptoms of severe infection are high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and backache. After a brief recovery period, the infection can lead to shock, bleeding, and kidney and liver failure. Liver failure causes jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), which gives yellow fever its name. Severe yellow fever infections can be fatal.
   
   
5. What is the incubation period for yellow fever?
   The incubation period (time from infection to illness) is usually 3-6 days.
   
   
6. What is the mortality rate of yellow fever?
   Case-fatality rates from severe disease range from 15% to more than 50%.
   
   
7. How is yellow fever treated?
   There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Treatment is symptomatic-rest, fluids, and ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, or paracetamol may relieve symptoms of fever and aching. Aspirin should be avoided. Infected persons should be protected from further mosquito exposure (staying indoors and/or under a mosquito net during the first few days of illness) so that they can't contribute to the transmission cycle.
   
   
8. Where does yellow fever virus occur?
   The geographic range of the virus is South America and Africa. For information on current outbreaks, consult CDC's Travelers' Health website (www.cdc.gov/travel). Given the current yellow fever epidemics and the world wide distribution of Aedesaegypti, there is a risk of importation of yellow fever into new areas by infected travelers.
   

YELLOW FEVER VACCINE

Yellow fever vaccine is a live virus vaccine which has been used for several decades. A single dose confers immunity lasting 10 years or more. If a person is at continued risk of yellow fever infection, a booster dose is needed every10 years. Adults and children over 9 months can take this vaccine.

This vaccine is only administered at designated yellow fever vaccination centers such as FastVax LLC. Information regarding registered yellow fever vaccination sites can be viewed at the CDC's Travelers' Health Yellow Fever website. For more information, see the 2002 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommendations.
      
*  Who Should Receive Yellow Fever Vaccine?
Persons aged > 9 months who are traveling to or living in areas of South America and Africa where yellow fever infection is officially reported should be vaccinated. While yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in travelers, many countries have regulations and requirements for yellow fever vaccination that must be met prior to entering the country. Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations for specific countries are available from the CDC Travelers' Health page.
 
Laboratory personnel who might be exposed to virulent yellow fever virus or to concentrated preparations of the 17D vaccine strain by direct or indirect contact or by aerosols should also be vaccinated.

*  Who Should Not Receive Yellow Fever Vaccine?
Yellow fever vaccine generally has few side effects; fewer than 20% of vaccinees develop mild headache, muscle pain, or other minor symptoms 5 to 10 days after vaccination. Severe reactions to the vaccine have been reported but are extremely rare. There are four groups of people who should not receive the vaccine unless the risk of yellow fever disease exceeds the risk associated with the vaccine.

• Yellow fever vaccine should never be given to infants under 6 months of age. In most cases, vaccination should be deferred until the child is at least 9 months of age.o Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.

• Persons who are allergic to eggs should not receive the vaccine because it is prepared in eggs. Notify your doctor prior to vaccination if you think that you may be allergic to the vaccine or to egg  products.

• Persons with an immuno suppressed condition associated with AIDS or HIV infection, or those whose immune system has been altered by diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, or by drugs and radiation should not receive the vaccine. People with asymptomatic HIV infection may be vaccinated if exposure to yellow fever cannot be avoided. Persons who have had thymus disease or thymus removal should not be vaccinated.

      If you have one of these conditions, your doctor will be able to help you decide whether you should be vaccinated, delay your travel, or obtain a waiver.The physician should help you weigh the risks of exposure and contracting thedisease against the risks of immunization, and consider alternative means ofprotection.

*  Medical Waivers. 
Most countries will accept a medical waiver for persons with a medical reason for not receiving the vaccination. It may be useful to obtain written waivers from foreign country consular or embassy officials before departure. Travelers should contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for specific advice. Typically, a physician's letter stating the reason for withholding the vaccination and written on letterhead stationery is required by the embassy or consulate to issue a waiver. The letter should bear the stamp used by a health department or official immunization center to validate the International Certificate of Vaccination.