Bolivia Yellow Fever Card. The Difference Between Yellow Fever and Dengue.

by BoliviaBella
(Santa Cruz Bolivia)

Bolivia requires travelers to port a yellow fever vaccination card or immunization certificate. You should get a yellow fever vaccine 10-14 days before you travel to Bolivia. Yellow fever and dengue are not the same disease, although both are caused by mosquitos. The following are some similarities and differences between these two diseases.

SIMILARITIES:

1. Both diseases are transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
2. There is no cure for either disease once you contract them.
3. In mild cases some symptoms may seem similar, such as headaches, body aches or fever.
4. Both diseases can be fatal due to organ failure and internal bleeding.

DIFFERENCES:

1. Yellow fever and dengue are caused by different virus organisms.

2. There is a yellow fever vaccine. A single dose can prevent the disease for up to 10 years. No effective vaccine has been developed for dengue. There is no cure for either disease once you contract them.

3. Yellow fever symptoms include fever with chills, vomiting, back pain, drops in blood pressure, and delirium. As vital organs begin to shut down, liver failure causes jaundice (turning the skin and whites of the eyes yellow, thus the name).

4. Dengue fever generally begins with pain in the joints and muscles. Some people develop a red rash, vomiting and diarrhea. Victims of this disease may bleed profusely, including internally. The white blood cell count decreases very swiftly.

Learn more about yellow fever disease, the virus, symptoms, transmission, Bolivia yellow fever vaccination requirements, treatment, and more here.