Know the initial manifestations and alarm signs that can save lives.
News Colombia.
Colombia faces a new outbreak of yellow fever, viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and potentially deadly if it is not detected in time.
The health emergency declared by President Gustavo Petro has put the health system alert. Faced with the increase in cases, Blu Radio consulted two key experts on the symptoms that citizens must observe.
Carlos Andrés Marulanda, Medical Mission Coordinator of the Colombian Red Cross, explained that the initial symptoms of yellow fever can easily be confused with other tropical diseases such as dengue, zika, malaria or leptospirosis. In its early phase, the signs are:
- High fever (frequently greater than 38.5 ° C)
- Generalized muscle pain
- Intense headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Serious symptoms that require urgent attention
Yellow fever has a biphasic evolution. After a mild initial stage of three to four days, the patient may experience an apparent recovery, followed by a dangerous relapse. In this toxic phase, the symptoms are significantly aggravated:
- Jaundice (yellow coloration in leather and eyes)
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain with persistent vomiting
- Bleeding by mouth, gums or stomach
- Liver and renal damage
Marulanda warns that some patients may not have obvious symptoms, which delays medical care. Therefore, the return of the fever after an improvement and any manifestation of bleeding or jaundice are alert signs to go to emergency without delay.
Wilmer Ernesto Villamil Gómez, an infectologist and an expert in tropical medicine, detailed Blu Radio the virus route in the body: after the sting of an infected mosquito, there is an incubation of three to four days. Then, the virus enters the bloodstream, causing a Viremia that directly affects the liver, where it induces apoptosisor cell death.
“The virus also compromises the kidney, causing renal failure, and can damage the heart affecting the heart muscle. In addition, it can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that leads to shock And, in severe cases, to death between 7 and 14 days after infection, ”Villamil said.
Among the clinical indicators of liver dysfunction that must be monitored are:
- Constant abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- Reddish urine
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
- Increase in liver enzymes
In critical cases, it can be presented Hepatic encephalopathywith symptoms such as confusion, agitation, seizures, stupor and even coma.
In addition, Villamil warned about hemorrhagic complications because the liver stops producing coagulation factors. This can result in:
- Gum bleeding, nose or stomach
- Decrease in hemoglobin, platelets and fibrinogen
The specialist recommended to health professionals apply the Diagnostic protocol of febrile syndromepublished by his group in the magazine Medicineas a clinical guide in endemic tropical areas.
Prevention and vaccination: The best defense
Experts insisted on the importance of vaccination as a central tool to stop the expansion of the virus. In Colombia, it applies A single dose for liferecommended between 9 months and 59 years.
However, before the health emergency, the Ministry of Health has extended coverage to people over 60 years.
Four keys to the population:
- The vaccine is unique dose and protects a lifetime.
- Its effectiveness starts 10 days after application.
- It must be vaccinated before traveling to endemic areas.
- Complement with measures such as repellent, long -sleeved clothing, mosquito nets and elimination of mosquito farms.
