[Skip to Content]
Children's Mercy Hospital

Children's Mercy Hospital

2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 234-3000
www.childrensmercy.org


What's Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever

Say: YEL-oh FEE-vur

Yellow fever is caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes. It's most likely to happen in tropical parts of Africa and South America. Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito don't get sick. People who do might have a fever or headache, throw up, and get jaundice, which turns the skin yellow and gives the fever its name.

Most people with yellow fever get better with no problems. There is a vaccine to prevent yellow fever if you travel to places where the disease is common.