Infections
Medicines for Yellow fever
A serious viral infection spread by mosquitoes in parts of Africa and South America — preventable by a highly effective vaccine required for travel to affected areas.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a serious viral infection spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes in tropical parts of Africa and Central and South America. Many people have a mild illness or no symptoms, but some develop a more serious illness, which classically begins with sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and tiredness.
- How it is treated: Because there is no specific antiviral treatment for yellow fever, management of the illness is supportive — rest, fluids, and hospital care with monitoring and treatment of complications for those who become seriously unwell.
- Self-care: For travel to affected areas: get the yellow fever vaccine (at a registered centre, at least 10 days before travel) — highly effective and often required with a certificate.
- When to seek help: Arrange yellow fever vaccination at a travel clinic well before travelling to an affected area.
What it is
Yellow fever is a serious viral infection spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes in tropical parts of Africa and Central and South America. Many people have a mild illness or no symptoms, but some develop a more serious illness, which classically begins with sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and tiredness. A proportion of people then enter a more dangerous phase with high fever, jaundice (the yellowing that gives the disease its name), bleeding, and organ problems, which can be fatal. There is no specific cure, so care is supportive, which makes prevention especially important. The excellent news is that a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and gives long-lasting (usually lifelong) protection. For this reason, the vaccine is recommended — and, under international health regulations, sometimes officially required (with a certificate) — for travel to or from affected countries, and travellers should plan for it well before departure.
How it is treated
Because there is no specific antiviral treatment for yellow fever, management of the illness is supportive — rest, fluids, and hospital care with monitoring and treatment of complications for those who become seriously unwell. The overriding priority, therefore, is prevention, which is very effective. The yellow fever vaccine, given as a single dose at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, provides strong, long-lasting protection and is recommended for travellers to areas where the disease occurs; some countries legally require proof of vaccination (an official certificate) to enter, particularly if arriving from an affected country. The vaccine needs to be given at least 10 days before travel to be effective and to allow the certificate to become valid, so planning ahead is important. It is not suitable for everyone (for example some people with weakened immunity or certain conditions), so travel health advice is individualised. Avoiding mosquito bites is an additional protection. The key message is that yellow fever is serious but highly preventable by vaccination, which should be arranged well before travelling to affected areas.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Yellow fever
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
For travel to affected areas: get the yellow fever vaccine (at a registered centre, at least 10 days before travel) — highly effective and often required with a certificate. Also prevent mosquito bites with repellent, covering up and nets. Plan vaccination well ahead.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Arrange yellow fever vaccination at a travel clinic well before travelling to an affected area. See a doctor for a feverish illness after travel to such an area (malaria and other causes should also be considered). Seek urgent care for jaundice, bleeding or severe illness.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Yellow fever: frequently asked questions
How is yellow fever prevented?
By the yellow fever vaccine — a single dose gives strong, long-lasting (usually lifelong) protection. It is recommended, and sometimes officially required with a certificate, for travel to affected areas, and should be given at least 10 days before travel.
Is there a treatment for yellow fever?
There is no specific cure, so treatment is supportive, which is why prevention by vaccination is so important. Most people recover, but a proportion develop a serious, potentially fatal illness.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Yellow fever
- TravelHealthPro — Yellow fever
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.