If you’re preparing to travel abroad, you have probably thought about arranging your accommodation and preparing the clothes you will need to pack, but have you considered the implications for your health and any vaccinations you may need for your destination?
Travel vaccinations requirements differ from country to country, and you should always check the government or embassy web pages for the area you are travelling to so that you can make sure you are aware of any specific risks or requirements, and to ensure that your travel insurance will be valid. Here, we’ll take a look at the Yellow Fever vaccination and explore the basics to help you make the right decision for your trip and for your health.
What is Yellow Fever?
Yellow Fever is a tropical disease that can affect the liver and kidneys, leading to high fever and jaundice, and is potentially fatal. It is a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes and is mainly found in certain countries in Africa and South America.
Symptoms of Yellow Fever include fever, muscle pain, extreme backache, headache, loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting. Jaundice is common with a Yellow Fever infection, and the illness takes its name from this yellowing of the skin and eyes that can occur if the disease progresses. In this phase of the illness, symptoms may also include passing dark urine and abdominal pain with vomiting, as well as bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach.
It takes around 3-6 days after infection for symptoms of Yellow Fever to show and for most symptoms usually resolve within a week. A few people will develop a more severe form of the disease. Of those that develop severe disease 30-60% die.
Who Needs a Yellow Fever Vaccination?
If you are travelling to, living in or travelling through an area where there is a risk of catching Yellow Fever, it may be recommended that you have a Yellow Fever vaccination. This is mandatory for travel to some countries.
Yellow Fever is common in certain African countries, parts of Central America and parts of South America, including Trinidad and Tobago.
You will need a Yellow Fever vaccine if you require a Yellow Fever Certificate to travel.
The Yellow Fever vaccination is not usually recommended for babies under the age of nine months, pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who have weakened immune systems, including those with HIV. You should also avoid the vaccination if you are severely allergic to any of the ingredients in it, including eggs or gelatin.
People who have had a thymectomy or adults who have under gone cardiac surgery prior to 2000 should avoid the vaccine. Children who have had cardiac surgery may be unable to receive the vaccine also.
People over the age of 60 are at greater risk of vaccine derived complications and should discuss this with the doctor prior to receiving the vaccine.
How Can I Avoid Yellow Fever?
If you are travelling to an area where the risk of catching Yellow Fever is high, there are precautions you can take to lower your risk of contracting the disease, such as:
- Wearing long clothing. Long-sleeved tops and trousers that cover your skin will help to prevent mosquito bites, which may carry Yellow Fever and other illnesses. This is particularly important during the early morning, daytime and early evening, when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
- Use insect repellent. There are many different types of insect repellants available, and you may wish to use one which contains DEET, which is very effective against mosquitoes. If you have sensitive skin, you should research your choice of insect repellent carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients.
- Use mosquito nets. Mosquito nets are specifically designed to enable you to protect yourself and your children from mosquitoes while you sleep. These nets are treated with insecticide and sleeping under them significantly lowers your risk of contracting Yellow Fever or other mosquito-borne illnesses such as Malaria.
- Use blinds and screens. You can reduce the risk of mosquitoes entering your living or sleeping space by closing doors and windows and using blinds or screens whenever you can. If the mosquitoes cannot enter your living space, your risk of contracting Yellow Fever will be much lower.
How Do I Get a Yellow Fever Vaccination?
If you are travelling to a high-risk area for Yellow Fever, you may require a Yellow Fever Vaccination and a vaccination certificate that proves you have had it. The Yellow Fever vaccine is considered safe for most people over the age of nine months and is reported to provide protection within 30 days for 95-99% of those vaccinated.
You can obtain a Yellow Fever vaccine from registered centers, such as the Roxboro Medical Centre. If you are at risk of Yellow Fever through your work, you may be able to have the costs met by your employer.
The Yellow Fever Vaccine provides lifelong protection for most people, and is given as a single dose. If you are travelling to an area that requires a Yellow Fever Certificate, you may be denied access to the country if you cannot produce this on request.
Are There Side Effects of the Yellow Fever Vaccination?
All vaccinations carry risk, and the Yellow Fever vaccine may cause some side effects, which are generally mild. Common side effects may include:
- Mild fever
- Headaches or muscle aches
- Soreness or redness at the site of the injection.
With Yellow Fever Vaccines there are 2 important side effects that can occur and can be serious if they do.
These are called YFV-AND and YFV-AVD
- Yellow Fever Vaccine derived acute neurotrophic disease
- Yellow Fever Vaccine derived acute viscerotropic disease
In the case of YFV-AVD it can be fatal.
Your Doctor will go through these potential side effects and risks with you at your travel medicine consult at Roxboro Medical Centre.
What if I Become ill When I Return to Ireland?
If you become ill on your return from your trip and you think you may have symptoms of Yellow Fever, you should consult your healthcare provider immediately and let them know that you have recently traveled to a high-risk area. Yellow fever is a notifiable disease in Ireland under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, and it may be reassuring to know that, to date, no cases of Yellow Fever have been reported in vaccinated travelers returning to Ireland from areas that are affected by the illness.
Prepare to Travel Abroad with Roxboro Medical Centre
When you’re travelling abroad, you may need to have a health check or consider having certain travel vaccinations to protect you while you are away. Here at Roxboro Medical Centre, we take the time to understand your unique requirements and to offer the best solutions for your situation. Our experienced team provides patient focused care via appointment, from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and you can book by calling us or by emailing our team.
Our medical centre is conveniently located just a short walk from Limerick City centre and we specialise in children’s health, men’s health, women’s health and sports medicine. We have a range of services that you can choose from, and you can also book an initial appointment with one of our experienced GPs to discuss the options we offer.
Dr. Lucey is a very keen sportsperson having played both Hurling and Gaelic Football with his native club Croom as well as representing Limerick from the age of 16 in 1996 up to his retirement in 2015. He represented Limerick at Senior level for 17 years with 67 championship appearances, over 30 in each code.
Following on from his interest in sport, Dr. Lucey completed a Masters in Sport & Exercise Medicine from University College Cork graduating in 2009. He is a certified provider of the EMS Swiss Dolorclast method for ESWT (extracorporeal shockwave therapy).
Dr Lucey has worked as doctor for the Limerick Senior, U21 and Minor Football teams, as well as the Limerick Minor Hurling team. He has also worked as doctor for Limerick FC for a number of years.