Preventing Mosquito Bites Planning to travel?

Other ways to reduce your chances of getting yellow The vaccine is considered extremely safe. A single
fever is to: dose provides protection for a life time. The side
effects may include:
Use insect repellent a mild headache muscle pain
according to
package directions fatigue a low-grade fever

-- 1. Apply sunscreen
If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek

a
immediate medical attention at your nearest
2. Let it dry
3. Apply insect community health centre.
repellent
If you're planning to travel abroad, contact the Blue
Sleep under a
.A.'l Sleep in air- sleeping net if Hill Road Clinic at telephone 323-5553 to schedule a
/ "\ conditioned you sleeping Wednesday appointment to be immunized at least
rooms or area is
t.Fl J screened exposed to
10 days prior to travelling.
against bugs outdoors For further information you may contact the National
Also, remove or destroy mosquito-breeding areas. Disease Surveillance Unit, Ministry of Health at (242)
502-4776, 502-4790, 376-3809 or 376-4705.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing pools of water,
such as the inside of old tires, flower pots, plants (e.g.
bromeliads), and small puddles.

use insect repellents containing DEETon What You Should Know About:
exposed skin.
use permethrin or DEETon clothes and bed nets
for extra protection.

It is suggested that anyone who is 9

YellowFEVER
months through 59 years old and will PREPARED BY:
be travelling to or is living in an area
where the risk of yellow fever is
present should be immunized.
Health Education Division
Ministry of Health
P. O. Box N-3729
People who shouldn't get the vaccine include:
Telephone: (242) 322-1187 or 322-1025
People who have severe allergies to eggs, chicken Fax: (242) 328-0079
healtheducationdivision@bahamas.gov.bs
proteins, or gelatin www.bahamas.gov.bsLhealth
Persons younger than 1 yr. old and older than 60
years old Source: www.ebscohost.com
People who have HIV, AIDS, or other conditions that February 2017
compromise the immune system.
Yellow fever is a serious, potentially deadly viral disease,
which is spread by bites from mosquitoes infected with
a virus called the Flavivirus.
Yellow fever gets its name from two of its most obvious
symptoms; fever and yellowing of the skin. The
yellowing occurs because the disease causes liver
damage and hepatitis.
The disease is most common in humid, and semi-humid
environments, as well as around bodies of still water
where mosquitoes, which host the yellow fever virus,
breed.
Who is
at risk
for
Yellow
Fever?
Persons at risk for getting yellow fever include persons:
Living, working, or traveling to areas where yellow
fever is common
Who fail to take proper precautions, such as
vaccination or using mosquito protection if living in
areas where yellow fever is common.
How is Yellow Fever spread?
Yellow fever is typically spread by bites from mosquitoes
infected with the yellow fever virus. Mosquitoes
become infected with the yellow fever virus when they
bite an infected human or monkey.
The disease cannot be spread from one person to
another. Although the infection can be passed on
directly into the blood through infected needles.
What are the symptoms of Yellow Fever?
There is no initial symptoms for some persons, whilst for
others, symptoms may appear within three to six days
after exposure to the yellow fever virus from a mosquito
bite. An infection with yellow fever typically has three
phrases.
Phase I
In the first phase, the symptoms can
last for three to four days and then for
most people, disappears. During this
phase the most common symptoms are
similar to those of the flu which occur
during what is called the acute phase.
These symptoms include:
fever and chills
muscle pain with prominent backache
headache nausea or vomiting
joint aches, and loss of appetite
Remission Phase
The next phase is the remission phase, which lasts for up
to 48 hours when patients improve.
How Is Yellow Fever diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you've
been experiencing and your travel history. A physical
exam will be done. If your doctor suspects that you
have yellow fever, a blood test will be ordered.
How is Yellow Fever treated?
There's no cure for yellow fever. However, there are
treatments that that can be given at a hospital to ease
some symptoms of yellow fever.
Treatment involves managing symptoms and helping
your immune system in fighting off the infection by:
Getting enough fluids, possibly through your veins
Getting oxygen
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure
Getting blood transfusions
Having dialysis if you experience kidney failure
Getting treatment for other infections that may
develop.
How can Yellow Fever infection be prevented?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent yellow fever. The
yellow fever vaccine is recommended for those who are
travelling to or living in areas where the disease is
present. Ask your doctor if the vaccine is right for you.