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What is the importance of Yellow Fever vaccination?

What is the importance of Yellow Fever vaccination?

 

Yellow Fever is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and South and Central America.  If you are travelling to these parts of the world then a vaccine is recommended for yellow fever prevention.

What is Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever is transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito and will cause a high temperature or fever, headache, sickness and general muscle pain.  Some sufferers also report sensitivity to light.  The illness usually lasts around four days but some people go on to suffer more serious symptoms such as jaundice which gives rise to yellowing of the skin and eyes and it is this that gives the disease its name.

Yellow fever prevention

There is a vaccination for yellow fever and Touchwood Pharmacy runs a yellow fever clinic in CamberleyVaccination is recommended for travel to those countries where yellow fever is found.  Some countries will require you to show a vaccination certificate to prove you have received vaccination against the disease even if yellow fever is not present there but they are located in an adjacent area.  It is recommended that you have the yellow fever vaccine dose at least ten days before you want to travel for it to be effective.  Talk to our healthcare professionals about yellow fever vaccination in Camberley and how to get your certificate.

Always minimise your exposure to mosquitoes even if you have had the vaccination.  Use mosquito nets in your room and keep your limbs covered up, apply a mosquito repellent that contains at least 50% Deet.  There is no treatment for yellow fever, only supporting rest and hydration plus pain relief such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

Visit our website www.touchwoodpharmacy.com to learn more about yellow fever and our yellow fever clinic in Camberley.