Yellow fever

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Diagnosing yellow fever based on signs and symptoms can be difficult because its early signs and symptoms can be easily confused with those of other diseases, such as malaria, typhoid, dengue fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. To diagnose your condition, your doctor will likely ask about your medical and travel history and order blood tests.

If you have yellow fever, your blood may reveal the virus itself. If not, blood tests known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also can detect antigens and antibodies specific to the virus. Results for these tests may take several days.

References
  1. Monath TP. Yellow fever. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  2. Yellow fever fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/YF_FactSheet.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  3. Hayes EB. Flaviviruses. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/146825972-7/857803487/1679/222.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50221-6_4048. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  4. Yellow fever: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/YF_Transmission.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  5. Yellow fever vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/YellowFever/vaccine/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  6. Repellent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  7. Travelers' health: Vaccinations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/vaccinations.aspx. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  8. Possible side-effects from vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm#yf. Accessed June 30, 2009.
  9. Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 9, 2009.

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Aug. 27, 2009

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