Some states in Nigeria are facing a fresh outbreak of Yellow fever in the country and this has raised concerns among many Nigerians.
However, it is rather unfortunate that many people don’t know how to differentiate between an ordinary fever and Yellow fever.
According to Health experts, Yellow fever is a viral infection spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The aegypti mosquitoes thrive in and near human habitations where they breed in even the cleanest water.
In mild cases, yellow fever causes fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Meanwhile, in severe cases, yellow fever can result in heart, liver, and kidney problems along with bleeding.
However, it was gathered that about 50% of people with a more severe form of yellow fever die of the disease.
Symptoms Of Yellow Fever
Acute Phase
This phase usually lasts for three to four days. Common symptoms include:
- headaches
- muscle aches
- joint aches
- a fever
- flushing
- a loss of appetite
- shivers
- backaches
Toxic Phase
The symptoms in the toxic stage of Yellow fever include
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and vomiting, sometimes of blood
- Decreased urination
- Bleeding from your nose, mouth, and eyes
- Slow heart rate
- Liver and kidney failure
- Brain dysfunction, including delirium, seizures, and coma
You may be at risk of the disease if you travel to an area where mosquitoes continue to carry the yellow fever virus,.
These areas include sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.
However, you can protect yourself from yellow fever by avoiding unnecessary outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active.
You can also wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go into mosquito-infested areas.
