What to do to not get yellow fever

The main way to prevent yellow fever infection is through the vaccine, available at health centers or immunization clinics. In addition, it is also necessary to avoid the bite of transmitting mosquitoes, taking care to eliminate any source of standing water where mosquitoes can multiply, use repellents, mosquito nets and long clothes whenever you are in areas of greatest danger.

Yellow fever infection occurs when a person who has never had the disease or who has not had the vaccine is bitten by an infected mosquito, remembering that a person does not directly transmit the infection to another person. Learn to identify these and other symptoms of yellow fever.

1. Get the vaccine

The yellow fever vaccine is part of the basic vaccination schedule in Brazil, and is indicated for children from 9 months of age, adolescents and adults living in regions classified as areas at risk for infection, or when it will be carried out national or international travel to locations where there is a risk of disease transmission or where proof of vaccination is required.

• When to vaccinate: currently, the Ministry of Health recommends that only 1 dose of the vaccine be taken at 9 months of age, if you are a resident or traveler to recommended areas. For travelers who have never been vaccinated, the dose should be taken 10 days before the trip. In Brazil, the risk areas include all states in the North and Central West regions, in addition to Minas Gerais, Maranhão and some municipalities in the states of Piauí, Bahia, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Who should not take: people with a history of anaphylactic reaction after ingesting chicken eggs or vaccine components, diseases that reduce immunity, such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS or use of immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, for example. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should not be vaccinated, except under medical advice. Although it is not contraindicated in the elderly, it is known that they may be more susceptible to the side effects of the vaccine, so one should talk to the doctor to assess the risks and benefits. Learn more about the yellow fever contraindications.

The vaccine against yellow fever is available free of charge by SUS at health centers, and can also be found in immunization clinics. The vaccine is made with the attenuated yellow fever virus, therefore, it is contraindicated in case of immunodeficiency, that is, when the immune system is weak due to diseases, for example.

According to the Ministry of Health, there is no consensus on the duration of protection provided by the vaccine, so it is recommended to apply a second dose according to the epidemiological risk, that is, according to the characteristics of the region and yellow fever cases.. Learn more about the indications and how yellow fever vaccine doses are applied.

2. Use repellents

The use of repellents is important to prevent mosquito bites and prevent infection with yellow fever and other diseases such as dengue and Zika, especially when living in regions with many mosquitoes. The main transmitting mosquitoes are the Haemagogus species , in rural areas, and Aedes aegypti, in urban areas, and these can acquire the virus when biting people or animals, such as monkeys, that are infected.

Repellents can be purchased at major pharmacies or super markets, are available in the form of cream, lotions, spray, adhesives and even bracelets, and some recommended are those containing Icaridine or DEET, for example.

In addition, there are forms of natural repellents, such as citronella, copaiba or andiroba oils, or environmental perfumers such as citronella candles and plant pots such as mint, cloves or rosemary, as they contain strong smells that are capable of keep mosquitoes away from home. Learn some of the natural repellent options to keep mosquitoes away.

3. Fight mosquito outbreaks

For the prevention of yellow fever, it is essential to avoid infected mosquito bites, and this can be achieved by decreasing their proliferation, by eliminating outbreaks of clean water standing in water tanks, cans, potted plants and tires, as these are ideal environments for the female mosquito to lay her eggs.

During the epidemic of yellow fever, or other mosquito-borne diseases, it is also recommended that insecticide be applied through "fumarcê", as a way to decrease the insect population.

4. Invest in mosquito nets and screens

Using fine mesh mosquito nets around the bed, as well as placing screens on doors and windows, are ways to prevent mosquito contact with the body, being important measures especially for environments with people more vulnerable to bites, such as the elderly or children.

5. Cover yourself

To increase protection levels, it is recommended to wear long clothes, such as pants or shirts with sleeves, during periods of epidemics, especially when going to tropical forests or open places during the mosquito circulation times.

6. Keep the yard clean

Keeping land and yards close to the house clean, removing debris, cuttings and rubbish, and pruning trees and plants, are recommended attitudes to reduce humidity and outbreaks that facilitate the breeding of the mosquito.

What to do if you suspect yellow fever

In case of suspected yellow fever, it is important to seek medical attention at the health center or emergency room, where the doctor can make the necessary assessments to confirm the suspicion or identify other diseases that may have similar symptoms, such as dengue, leptospirosis or malaria, for example.

It may also be necessary to perform tests to identify the virus or observe changes in blood count, liver enzymes, coagulation tests and urine tests, among others. There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, rest is recommended, replacement of fluids, such as water and juices, as well as remedies to relieve symptoms, such as analgesics, antipyretics and against vomiting.

In more severe cases, such as people who have bleeding or involvement of the liver or kidneys, hospitalization or, in some cases, in the ICU, may be necessary as a way to control complications and reduce the risk of death. Find out more about yellow fever treatment.