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Living with Yellow fever

A virus-caused illness that starts with fever and body symptoms and can become a severe illness with bleeding and organ problems.

Understanding Yellow fever

Yellow fever is an illness caused by the yellow fever virus, spread from animals to people, that begins with fever and other body-wide symptoms.

It can happen at any age. GARD says it can progress to a severe viral hemorrhagic fever (a bleeding illness) with shock and failure of several organ systems.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Fever and chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Unusual bleeding, including vomiting blood

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What symptoms mean I should get urgent medical care?
How is yellow fever diagnosed and treated?
How do I protect myself when traveling to areas where it occurs?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus. GARD describes it as a zoonotic disease, meaning one that spreads from animals to people.

Infectious

Also known as: bronze john; jungle yellow fever; sylvatic yellow fever; urban yellow fever; yellow fever virus caused disease or disorder; yellow fever virus disease or disorder

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Yellow feverGARD ID 7914 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Yellow fever.

Explore the Yellow fever blog

Explore research for Yellow fever

Explore actively recruiting Yellow fever studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Yellow fever with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Yellow fever studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Yellow fever experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

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