Key points
- Yellow fever virus spreads to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Illness ranges from a fever with aches to severe liver disease with bleeding and yellowing skin and eyes.
- A vaccine is available for at-risk travelers. You can also reduce your risk by preventing mosquito bites.
Overview
Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. Yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in U.S. travelers.
Symptoms
Illness ranges from a fever with aches and pains to severe liver disease with bleeding and yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice).
How it spreads
Yellow fever virus spreads to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus can also spread from mother to baby during birth and likely spreads through blood transfusion and organ transplantation.
Prevention
To prevent getting sick from yellow fever, protect yourself from mosquito bites and get vaccinated, if vaccination is recommended for you.
Testing and diagnosis
See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms after being exposed to mosquitoes in an area where yellow fever virus spreads (Africa and South America).
Treatment
No medicines are available to treat yellow fever. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Rest, drink fluids, and use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and relieve aching. People with severe symptoms of yellow fever infection should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive care.
Do not take certain medications if you have Yellow Fever
For healthcare providers: Treatment and Prevention of Yellow Fever