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Helen DeVos

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
100 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616.391.9000


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.