INFECTIONS - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 314

complications may occur and require a physician's care. A vaccine is under development
but is not yet available.
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/
sub_dengue.htm .
Colorado Tick Fever
Colorado tick fever is a viral disease transmitted by the wood tick. It occurs in all west-
ern states and is far more common there than Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Infections
usually occur in spring and early summer when ticks are active. Four to six days after ex-
posure,chillsandfeverappear,alongwithheadacheandgeneralized aching.Theeyesmay
be unusually sensitive to light. The initial attack lasts about two days, at which time the
fever and other symptoms disappear, only to recur two to five days later. The outlook for
complete recovery is good, even though no specific treatment is available. Bed rest, flu-
ids, and aspirin are helpful. A physician should evaluate the person to be sure that Rocky
Mountain spotted fever, a more serious disorder that requires antibiotic treatment, is not
present.
More information is available at www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/diseases/ctf/facts.shtml .
Yellow Fever
Yellowfeverisaninfectionofhumansandprimatescausedbyavirustransmittedbythe
Aedes mosquito. The disease occurs chiefly in South America and in sub-Saharan Africa.
Following an incubation period of three to six days, chills, fever, headache, and backache
begin. The heart rate may be slow in relation to the severity of the fever. Most individuals
recover completely after a few days without progressing to the severe form of the disease.
In a few, however, fever returns and the person becomes flushed, feels nauseated, starts
vomiting, and appears seriously ill. The eyes may be bloodshot and the tongue red. Bleed-
ing from the gums and into the skin may occur; vomiting material that looks like coffee
grounds or black stools indicates that bleeding is occurring in the stomach or intestines.
Jaundice, which gives the disease its name, develops.
The treatment of yellow fever consists of bed rest and a liquid or soft diet high in car-
bohydrates. Fluid and salt replacement may be necessary because of the dehydration that
accompanies vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for
discomfort and bedtime medications for sleep are helpful. No specific treatment is avail-
able. If travel into a yellow fever area is planned, vaccination with the highly effective yel-
low fever vaccine should be obtained ( Chapter 5: Immunizations ) .
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/index.html .
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome