Yellow Fever vs. Malaria: Understanding the Differences

Yellow Fever and Malaria are both mosquito-transmitted illnesses, but what makes them different? In this article, we’re going to compare the two diseases to help you understand each one inside and out.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YELLOW FEVER AND MALARIA

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an illness caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. While malaria has medication available (but no vaccine) to prevent the disease, yellow fever can be prevented with a simple vaccine jab. The Yellow Fever Vaccine is readily available at Travel Clinics across London like Miles Pharmacy Travel Clinic.

Getting the Yellow Fever Vaccination and taking other simple preventative measures to avoid getting mosquito bites are the best ways to prevent getting yellow fever while traveling.

Yellow Fever has a much lower annual death rate in comparison to Malaria. Yellow fever deaths only happen in about 20-50% of yellow fever patients.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes deadly disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which then infects people when they are bitten. Antimalarial drugs such as Malarone, Chloroquine, and Mefloquine are very effective in preventing malaria if you were to get bitten by an infected mosquito. In addition to antimalarial medication, you can also take preventative measures to avoid getting mosquito bites and thereby reduce your risk of getting malaria significantly.

While infection from malaria and yellow fever can be fatal, death rates from malaria are significantly higher in comparison. Although malaria is treatable and yellow fever is not, malaria has a huge annual death toll of approximately 400,000 globally.

Where Are Yellow Fever and Malaria Most Common?

Mosquito-borne diseases like yellow fever and malaria typically occur in hot and humid climates of tropical and subtropical countries like Africa, South America, and South Asia.

SYMPTOMS OF YELLOW FEVER VS MALARIA

Yellow Fever

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden fever

·         Chills

·         Back pain

·         Severe headache

·         General body aches

·         Weakness

·         Fatigue

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

Malaria

Common symptoms include:

·         Fever

·         Chills

·         Cold sweats

·         Headaches

·         Body aches

·         General malaise

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

Both yellow fever and malaria can be prevented with Antimalarials tablets or with a vaccine. So, it’s important to visit a travel clinic before you leave the country, especially if you are traveling to a high-risk region.

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