Everything You Should Know About Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever is a severe disease that occurs due to the yellow fever virus.Thiskind of virus is usually found in certain parts of Africa and South America. It might spread due to a mosquitobite that has been infected with the virus. It is important to mention that it cannot transmit from person to person.

Some people who have yellow fever will suffer from flu-like symptoms only and recover completely within a short time. However, others might develop a more severe form of this infection that can lead to serious symptoms such as:

Vomiting.
Yellow skin or jaundice.
High fever.

There is no remedy available for yellow fever, though some treatments at yellow fever vaccination centres may help to reduce the effects from the symptoms. You will also find yellow fever vaccine that protects people against the virus of yellow fever.

How willthe vaccine work?

The vaccine for yellow fever causes the immune system to produce various antibodies against the virus. If you wish to go to a place where yellow fever is quite common, then it is necessary to get vaccinated at an authorised yellow fever vaccination center.

Truly speaking, a single dose is usually meant to last for not less than 10 years. But a single injection should be able to provide complete immunity for the rest of your life.

What are some side effects with this vaccine?

Unlike other vaccines, some people have a reaction with yellow fever vaccine. Though it is mild, side effects include:

fever
mild joint pain
muscle aches

Besides that, there are certaininjectionsthat may lead to redness, soreness or swelling around the injection site.These side effects generally start within a short time after you are injected and may last for almost 14 days.

Can there be serious side effects?

There is less risk of serious side effects fromthe yellow fever vaccine. Yet, some of these include the following:

Severe allergic reaction that may affect nearly 1 in 55,000 people.
Serious reaction to nervous system that can affect almost1 in 125,000 people.
Severe illness due to organ failure which usually affects about 1 in 250,000.

After you take the vaccine at yellow fever vaccination centre in London, have a look at these symptoms that can occur due toa serious allergic reaction:

change in your behavior
difficulty in breathing
high fever
hives
swelling of the throat, tongue or face
dizziness and weakness

You may seek foran emergency treatment in case you experience any of these symptoms within a few minutes or hours after taking the vaccine.

Other symptoms that require visiting a doctor include:

cough
difficulty in swallowing
confusion
itching and irritability
nervousness
rapid heartbeat
rashes
severe headache
stiff neck
throbbing in the ears
tingling and vomiting

Who should take the vaccine?

Yellow fever vaccine is usually suggested for the following:

Children who are 9 months old or more than that andare traveling to different areas of Africa, South America or other countries where the yellow fever virus has been found.
People who visit different countries and need proof for yellow fever immunisation.
Anyone who may come into close contact with yellow fever viruslike healthcare experts or laboratory workers.

Pregnant women can take this vaccine only if they need to travel to an area where the protection from mosquito bites is not at all possible.

Who should not take this vaccine?

The vaccine should not be taken by:

Children who are not 9 months old
Adults who are more than 59 years
People who have a weak immunity such as people with HIV or those who receive chemotherapy.
People who have hada severe reaction to gelatin, egg or other ingredients of this vaccine.
People who have had severe allergic reaction to earlier dosages of this vaccine.
People who have had their thymus removed or who have thymus disorder.
Travelers who are above 60 years and have not been previously vaccinated against yellow fever.

If you have fever, it is best to wait for some time and get the vaccination to recover completely.

Besides that, women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding should be vaccinated only if there isinescapable risk or protection against mosquito bites.

Yellow fever is a serious illness and so, it is essential to get vaccinated when planning to travel to a place where this virus is prevalent. It is advised to visit your private GP in case you do not know whether you should take this vaccine. He can suggest you the pros and cons associated with this vaccine.