health

Early stages of yellow fever can be easily confused with other diseases
such as malaria*, typhoid fever*, and other hemorrhagic (heh-muh-RAHjik)
fevers and types of viral hepatitis*. Blood tests can detect whether a
patient’s body has produced yellow fever antibodies* to fight the infection.
Doctors also will take a travel history to see if a patient recently has
visited a country where yellow fever occurs.
No specific treatment exists for yellow fever. Care is geared toward treating
complications of the disease. In serious cases, intensive care in the hospital
usually is needed. Patients may be given fluids to prevent dehydration*,
and blood transfusions* may be necessary if bleeding is severe.
Most people who contract yellow fever recover from the early phase
of the disease within a week; those who progress to the toxic phase may
take several weeks or longer to recover. About half of those who develop
toxic phase symptoms die within two weeks; the other half may recover
without significant long-term problems.