Urban yellow fever has similar signs and symptoms as other forms of yellow fever. However, urban yellow fever is unique in that it spreads when someone infected with yellow fever goes to a populous area where the condition spreads rapidly.
Urban yellow fever can only spread when an infected person gets bitten by a mosquito which then bites another human. The contaminated blood from the original person enters the new person and infects them with yellow fever.
Urban fever can have varying symptoms that can range from mild to moderate too severe. In extreme cases, urban yellow fever can even cause organ failure, jaundice, internal bleeding, and death. Therefore, it’s essential to receive an early diagnosis of urban yellow fever to keep the disease from spreading to others and to treat your own symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure or structured treatment plan for urban yellow fever. Therefore, if you have urban yellow fever, the goal is to treat and manage your symptoms in the hopes that they do not progress too severely. This form of treatment typically includes the following:
One of your biggest risks if you have yellow fever is that you will become dehydrated, weak, and vulnerable to complications. Therefore, if you start to display troubling symptoms, you will likely need to be hospitalized so that you can receive IV fluids. IV fluids can help rejuvenate you, boost your immune system, and help you fight off the yellow fever virus.
In addition to IV fluids, your doctor will likely also recommend medications to reduce pain and fever. Typically, Tylenol and acetaminophen are the best over-the-counter options. It is essential that you do not take Ibuprofen, Advil, or other NSAIDs, as these could lead to internal bleeding. If over-the-counter medications are not strong enough, you may require more potent prescription medications.
In addition to medications and IV fluids, you will also benefit from home remedies if you have urban yellow fever. This includes getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and protecting yourself from additional mosquito bites.
Because there is no cure or treatment that directly addresses yellow fever, most medical professionals recommend getting a yellow fever vaccination. This is especially true if you live in or are traveling somewhere with a known yellow fever outbreak. The yellow fever vaccination will protect you if you get bit by a mosquito capable of transmitting the virus and make it so that you do not develop symptoms.
In addition to getting the yellow fever vaccination, it is also a good idea to wear insect repellent and keep as much of your skin covered as possible if you are in a yellow fever hotspot. While the vaccination will protect you, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
In most parts of the world where yellow fever is common, people are required or strongly encouraged to get the yellow fever vaccine. Vaccination is the only way to ensure you do not acquire urban yellow fever and spread it to others via mosquitos. If you do have yellow fever, you should remain indoors, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you start displaying troubling symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.