infectious diseases

Yellow fever in short

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Yellow fever: description	Acute infectious disease, caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The name "yellow fever" was coined for the first time around the middle of the eighteenth century by Hughes
Yellow fever: synonyms	Black vomit Antilles fever Typhoid itch
Yellow fever: geographical spread	No cases of yellow fever have been observed in Asia, Europe and Australia Yellow fever is endemic in some areas of equatorial and southern America Typical disease of the tropical forests of central Africa
Yellow fever: incidence	200, 000 cases of subjects suffering from yellow fever, of which 180, 000 are African (90%) 5-10% of cases: yellow fever is fatal 40-60% of affected patients are asymptomatic: inaccurate estimates
Yellow fever: etiological agent	Causative agent: virus, known as Flavivirus (Fam. Flaviviridae, Genus: Flavivirus) Vector: Aedes aegypti mosquito , which transmits the virus to humans
Yellow fever: life cycle of the virus	Urban cycle: infected man = natural reservoir of the virus. Vector = mosquito Aedes aegypti Woodland cycle: primates (monkeys) = natural reservoir of the virus. Vector = mosquito Haemagogus spp, Sabethes spp. and Aedes africanus
Yellow fever: symptoms	First phase (viremic): fever associated with chills, headache, marked bradycardia, back pain, nausea and conjunctival hyperaemia Second phase (toxic): fever, jaundice, acidosis, oliguria, hemorrhages and proteinuria Triad symptomatology : jaundice, proteinuria and hemorrhage
Yellow fever: diagnosis	Serological tests (ELISA test) PCR (genetic amplification test) Biohumoral tests (for confirmation or not of hyperazotemia, abnormal coagulation, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and decreased fibrinogen in the blood) Liver biopsy
Yellow fever: therapies	There is no universally effective therapy for yellow fever Possible therapy with interferon and ribavirin
Yellow fever: prevention and vaccines	Vaccination is recommended before embarking on a trip to tropical and sub-tropical areas Preventive tips for yellow fever: Wear dark clothing Do not leave exposed skin parts Use repellents to keep mosquitoes away