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Warning-sign checks

Yellow fever: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency medical help for:

    • Yellow skin or yellowing of the eyes
    • Vomiting blood or passing black or bloody stool
    • Bleeding that is difficult to stop
    • Confusion, unusual drowsiness, seizures, or collapse
    • Severe abdominal pain or repeated vomiting
    • Very little urine
    • Trouble breathing
    • Cold, clammy skin, fainting, or other signs of shock

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if you develop fever, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, or vomiting during travel in a yellow fever risk area or soon after returning.

    Tell the healthcare service exactly where you travelled, when you returned, and whether you were vaccinated.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after recovery if you were advised to repeat liver or kidney tests, or if tiredness is slowly improving without new warning signs.

    Seek earlier review if symptoms worsen, jaundice persists, or your urine output falls.

The article also says

Do not rely on vaccination history to rule out every possibility.

Vaccination is highly effective, but no vaccine prevents every case, and another travel-related infection may be causing the symptoms.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Yellow fever. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.