Yellow Fever – Time To Say Goodbye
Yellow fever is defined as an extreme viral haemorrhagic sickness. This type of virus is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito frequently found in tropical regions of Africa and South America. It is understood that this virus strains in Africa and the affected South America in the 16th century when the slave trade began. In the 17th century, yellow fever was an outbreak affecting Africa, Europe and America. In the 19th century, was considered one of the most fatally infectious diseases in the history of killing millions.
Yellow fever is not transmitted by direct contact as people firstly thought. It was only in 1900 when the Walter Reed Commission headed by an American army physician Major Walter Reed, MD D. Confirmed theory that disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Although mainly accepted Major Walter Reed as the person who “beat” the sickness, most are not aware that a Cuban doctor named Carlos Juan Finlay was at the rear of the discovery.
Dr Carlos Juan Finlay was born on December 3, 1833 in Puerto Principe in Cuba. He was a Cuban doctor and scientist and the man who pioneered the research on yellow fever. He studied at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1853 and graduated 1855th He studied in Havana and Paris to fulfill his medical studies.
Doctor Finlay hypothesized in 1881, that a mosquito called the disease vector is the person responsible for the spread of yellow fever. According to Finlay, the mosquitoes that have bitten a person with the sickness could transmit the disease by biting a healthy person. After a year Finlay was able to identify the mosquito that spreads the sickness, which belongs to the genus Aedes. He recommended to control the population of mosquitoes to control the advancement of yellow fever.
It took 20 years before the Walter Reed Commission apparently confirmed Finlay’s theory. Although much of the credit went to doctor Reed to turn yellow fever, doctor Walter even credited doctor Finlay’s hypothesis showed us how to control the Yellow fever and discover a true vector.
Dr Juan Carlos Finlay’s findings has made substantial contributions to the welfare of humanity who have given so much pride and Cuban flags.
Information on yellow fever-a viral infection
Article by peter hutch
Yellow fever, which is also known as sylvatic fever and viral hemorrhagic fever or VHF, is a severe infectious disease caused by a type of virus called a flavivirus. This flavivirus can cause outbreaks of epidemic proportions throughout Africa and tropical America.The first written evidence of such an epidemic occurred in the Yucatan in 1648. Since that time, much has been learned about the interesting transmission patterns of this devastating illness.What causes yellow fever?
Yellow fever virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family, other members of which cause dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.
The virus is introduced into the bloodstream via the saliva of the mosquito as it bites.
The virus can then be transported around the body and reproduce itself in a variety of the body’s cells, usually the liver, kidneys and blood vessels. In serious cases, these cells may become damaged themselves.What is the basic yellow fever transmission cycle?There are two kinds of yellow fever, spread by two different cycles of infection.Jungle yellow fever is mainly a disease of monkeys. It is spread from infected mosquitoes to monkeys in the tropical rain forest. People get jungle yellow fever when they are bitten by mosquitoes that have been infected after feeding on infected monkeys. Jungle yellow fever is rare and occurs mainly in persons who live or work in tropical rain forests.SymptomsThe virus remains silent in the body during an incubation period of three to six days. There are then two disease phases. While some infections have no symptoms whatsoever, the first, “acute”, phase is normally characterized by fever, muscle pain (with prominent backache), headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting. Often, the high fever is paradoxically associated with a slow pulse. After three to four days most patients improve and their symptoms disappear.However, 15% enter a “toxic phase” within 24 hours. Fever reappears and several body systems are affected. The patient rapidly develops jaundice and complains of abdominal pain with vomiting.Yellow Fever Vaccinations:The yellow fever vaccine is an attenuated, live-virus preparation of the 17D strain of yellow fever virus grown in leucosis-free chick embryos. A single dose correctly given confers immunity in 100% of recipients, and immunity persists for at least 10 years. Re-immunisation is currently recommended after 10 years. This vaccination is given as a single injection given subcutaneously. If a country requires the vaccine for entry, travellers must allow at least 10 days before entering the country for vaccination. Treatment of yellow fever:Infection should be treated with appropriate antimicrobial therapy and tailored as antibiotic sensitivities are identified Many cases of deep-seated infection or abscess require percutaneous or surgical drainage Fever due to malignancy will usually regress with surgical debulking, chemotherapy, and/or radiation directed at the primary tumor Rheumatologic disorders may require NSAIDs, steroids, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, or other cytotoxic agents.
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Yellow Diarrhea
Yellow diarrhea involves passing loose stool three or more times per day which is yellow in color. This condition maybe chronic and the person suffering from it will pass a watery pale yellow diarrhea for longer than four weeks. The causes of this condition are many some of them being a low bile production, bacterial infection, parasite, or viral infections. Other causes include the use of laxatives and antibiotics as well as some other medications used in chemotherapy. The type of diet that people consume also affects the color of their stool and so will other diseases such as lymphoma.
Other causes linked to yellow diarrhea include radiation, previous surgery and some liver diseases. The symptoms that characterize this diarrhea include dehydration and people with it will have a dry mouth. Other accompanying symptoms include dizziness, weakness, frequent thirst, headaches, fatigue, decreased urination, and a tearless crying. People with severe dehydration will exhibit signs such as irritability, excessive thirst, dark colored urine, sunken eyes, fever, confusion, a dry skin, and mouth among others. All these symptoms of yellow diarrhea are controllable and some of the prevention measures that people require to take include drinking a lot of fluids.
It is also important to keep off from substances that may trigger the yellow diarrhea. These include sodas, alcohol, caffeine, gelatin, and fruit juice. It is important to contact a doctor once yellow diarrhea is detected to be in a better position to get treatment. Having a diarrhea that lasts for more than four days is a cause for alarm. A high fever, rectal pain, and bloody stool are enough reasons to consult a physician. The treatment for yellow diarrhea is varied and some of it involves using Acidophilus, which forms friendly bacteria that inhibits bad bacteria. Taking the Apple cider vinegar is recommended as a preventive measure and this curbs future instances of the yellow diarrhea.
The Bismuth Subscalicylate can also be taken to treat the diarrhea or as a preventive measure towards the condition. Lemon juice also treats yellow diarrhea and people are advised to take a glass whenever they experience diarrhea symptoms. The Loperamide hydrochloride also works well for severe cases of yellow diarrhea. Dietary changes are however necessary to breakdown future possibilities of having the yellow diarrhea. These include staying clear of solid foods since the digestive system needs a rest and they are too hard. It is also advisable to keep off refined carbohydrates until one has recovered well from the condition.
Taking clear soup works well with people recovering from the yellow diarrhea since it is easily absorbed. Eating apples, bananas, and blueberries is highly recommended since they work towards tightening the bowel. Other fruits, sweets, raw vegetables, and cooked cabbage must be avoided as they aggravate the diarrhea. Taking a lot of fiber is encouraged as fiber helps absorb the fluid harbored in the intestines. Fatty foods must be avoided at all costs as well as those that contain wheat and beans. Taking folic acid also works positively towards treating the yellow diarrhea.
Travel vaccinations: yellow fever, malaria, TB and immuno compromised travelers
According to the CDC, traveling internationally requires that you get vaccinations. Some vaccinations are required by the international health board and some are recommended. Types of vaccinations will depend on your health status and your destinations.
If you’re ill and have a weakened immune system like having diabetes or HIV, then you will need more vaccinations than the non ill person. If you’re going to places like Africa then you will be required to take certain vaccine to prevent disease infection.
According to the CDC, populations with a weakened immune system or have similar medical illness are discouraged from traveling to Africa where yellow fever is prevalent. Those that have recent chemo therapy or transplant or surgery are also discouraged from traveling to places like Africa that have yellow fever.
What are the vaccines that are required or recommended for the immuno-compromised travelers? The populations with a current medical illness or have a weakened immune system should take yellow fever vaccine, influenza or Hib vaccine (flu), and pneumococcal Polysaccharide.
According to the CDC, the immuno-compromised populations is strongly encourage not to do any traveling to foreign country since there are a low health standards and high diseases spreading around. These patients would not do well having these infections. Patients that are currently on medications therapy are also discouraged to travel to foreign country. The level of diseases in foreign country is higher than in the US.
Immuno-compromised individuals are encouraged to take precautions against malaria, hepatitis, TB and all others that are very prevalent in foreign country. You should bring an over supply of medications just in case you would need it. Some country prohibit HIV patients from entering their country. Some country requires test for HIV antibody for students, and employees on permit.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
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