Tropical diseases are diseases that occur mainly in countries with tropical and subtropical climates, such as e.g. malaria, legionellosis, West Nile fever and dengue fever. Some of them are very dangerous and can lead to death. Check what diseases you can catch in the tropics.

Tropical diseasesis an unwanted souvenir from holidays in the tropics. Some of them are very violent and can lead to death, so it is worth knowing what diseases we can get infected in the country where we plan our vacation.

Tropical diseases: Legionnaires' disease

Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) - is a serious infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by the bacteriumLegionella pneumophila .

  • how do you get infected - the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes
  • where it occurs - the most common infection occurs in the Mediterranean countries, but the disease occurs throughout Europe, also in Poland. It multiplies in humid places, at temperatures between 20 and 55 degrees Celsius. It also multiplies in air conditioning installations. It is also present in stagnant waters overgrown with algae. Potential sources of infection are also showers, taps, whirlpool tubs and fountains. Importantly, chlorination of water is not a threat to bacteria, as it perfectly tolerates the presence of chlorine
  • symptoms - initially typical flu, then a dry cough, breathing difficulties and beiguns appear

Tropical diseases: malaria

Malaria (malaria, fever) is a parasitic disease caused in humans by five species of spores.

  • How do you get infected? People get malaria as a result of being bitten by mosquitoes infected with the plague. You cannot catch the disease from another person
  • where it occurs - mainly in tropical areas: sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. However, in Europe and North America, there are approximately 10,000 infections each year imported from these regions
  • symptoms - recurrent fever attacks (repeated every 2-3 days)

Tropical diseases: filariasis

Filariasis are diseases such as wuchereriosis, brugiosis, loajosis, onchocercosis, which are caused by parasites belonging to nematodes.

  • how do you get infected - wuchereriosis and brugiosis are transmitted by mosquitoes. On the other hand, loajosis is transmitted by the blind farts - an insect from the order of flies, and onchocercosis by the fly of the genusSimulium
  • occurrence - wuchereriosis occurs in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Pacific islands, brugiosis in Malaysia and Indonesia. In turn, loajosis in Equatorial Africa, and onchocercosis in Equatorial Africa, South America, the Middle East
  • symptoms - wuchereriosis and brugiosis are manifested by fever and inflammation of the lymph nodes (elephantiasis is characteristic for bruising). Itching is characteristic for loajosis, especially around the face and upper limbs, and for onchocerciosis - thickening and peeling of the skin (the so-called elephant skin), lumps and subcutaneous nodules

Tropical diseases: yellow fever

Yellow fever (yellow fever) is an infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus, which is a particularly dangerous disease (it can lead to liver and kidney damage and gastrointestinal bleeding)

  • how do you get infected - the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes
  • where it occurs - in the tropics and subtropics of Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America
  • symptoms - fever, headache, chills, nausea, weakness, yellowing of the skin and redness of the conjunctiva

Tropical diseases: dengue

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus

  • how do you get infected - the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot catch it from another person.
  • where it occurs - in the hot climate zone of Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America and the islands of Oceania
  • symptoms - in most cases (80%) it is asymptomatic. The symptomatic form may be, inter alia, with a maculopapular rash often associated with catarrh of the upper respiratory tract

Tropical diseases: leishmaniasis

Also called kala-azar or white leprosy is a dangerous parasitic disease

  • how do you get infected - mosquito-borne leishmaniasis. When bitten by infected animals or people, the insect takes the parasite together with the sucked blood. Biting the next victim, introduces the parasite into their blood vessels
  • where it occurs - 90 percent cases of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) occur in Bangladesh,Brazil, India and Sudan. The cuto-mucosal form in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru. The skin form spreads over Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Syria
  • symptoms - depends on the form, e.g. visceral form is manifested by a long-lasting fever, which has two peaks during the day (around noon and before midnight)

Tropical diseases: Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by a virus belonging to theFlaviviridaefamily.

  • How you can get infected - the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes of theCulexandAedes
  • where it occurs - a Far East, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea
  • symptoms - in most cases (99%) it is asymptomatic or in the form of mild flu-like symptoms (fever, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders)

Tropical diseases: West Nile fever

West Nile fever is a viral disease that belongs to the group of fever. It is caused by West Nile Virus (WNV)

  • HOW DO YOU GET IT - The virus is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes. Germs can also spread flies, flies and ticks. The infection occurs most often in summer, as WNV viruses multiply at a temperature of at least 22 ° C for 12 days. They are most often transmitted to humans by the Culex pipiens mosquitoes, common also in Poland
  • where it occurs - apart from Africa, it is also present in Asia and the Middle East. From the mid-1990s, disease epidemics were also noted in Romania, Russia and Israel. The virus has also spread to the USA
  • symptoms - incl. very high fever, stiff neck, altered consciousness, seizures, sometimes rash. It can also be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms

Other feverish tropical diseases are:

  • Rift valley fever - occurs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, especially during the rainy season
  • New World hemorrhagic fever - found in South America
  • Lassa hemorrhagic fever - occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the western part of the continent (Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone).
  • Ebola hemorrhagic fever -
  • Marburg hemorrhagic fever - occurs in sub-Saharan Africa

Category:

Infectious diseases