Tropical diseases: main modes of transmission
– transmission through contaminated water and food
example diarrhoea, typhoid fever
These diseases are transmitted when you eat contaminated food or water. The precautions to be taken are therefore of a hygienic nature.
– transmission by insects
example: yellow fever, dengue, etc.
The mosquito is particularly to be feared, especially for malaria. Lice, ticks or tsetse flies can also carry diseases.
– transmission by animals
example: rabies.
These infections are transmitted by bite or simple contact with the animal or with its excrement.
– sexual transmission
example: hepatitis B, HIV or syphilis
The only way to protect yourself is to use condoms during sex. Obviously this indication is valid even when you are not traveling!
– blood transmission
it is therefore necessary to be careful not to use syringes, needles which would not be sterile as during piercing, tattooing or acupuncture sessions.
– airborne transmission
example: tuberculosis, measles, pneumonia, meningitis
These diseases are transmitted by small water droplets that evaporate, spread and remain suspended in the air. It is therefore necessary to avoid all contact with sick people.
– floor transmission
example: tetanus, fungal infections
These infections are carried through small cuts or scrapes.
Tropical diseases: malaria
Malaria, also called malaria, is an infection caused by a parasite, plasmodium. This is transmitted from man to man through a mosquito bite (but only female, anopheles type).
Symptoms: they usually appear 7 days after the bite but they can also appear after several weeks. They are characterized by high fever, accompanied by chills, abnormal fatigue, body aches, headaches and digestive disorders. It also happens that the infected red blood cells block the blood networks supplying the brain, this is called cerebral malaria. If left untreated, malaria can therefore be fatal to the infected person.
The precautions to take: If you are planning a trip to an endemic country, it is essential to take preventive treatment, which usually comes in the form of tablets to be taken every day. However, this treatment cannot guarantee total immunity against malaria, which is why it is essential to protect yourself as much as possible from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents (skin repellents to be applied to uncovered areas, in particular at the end of day and night), devices diffusing insecticide products, by installing mosquito nets on doors and windows, by operating the air conditioning. It is also best to wear long clothes that cover your arms and legs well.
Warning: every fever on returning from a trip to a tropical country must be considered a priori as a symptom of malaria and immediate medical consultation is essential.
Regions concerned: Africa (most infected continent), South and South-East Asia, Central and South America
Tropical diseases: dengue fever
Dengue or tropical flu is a viral disease transmitted by insect bites, particularly mosquito bites. The viruses responsible for dengue fever are four in number, which means that one can catch this disease several times.
Symptoms: they are similar to those of malaria: they are manifested by high fever, vomiting, headaches, muscle and joint pain. In addition, the patient may have skin rashes similar to those of measles.
In the vast majority of cases, symptomatic treatments (such as paracetamol) are sufficient, but in rare cases, dengue can become serious and hemorrhages appear such as nosebleeds or gums.
The precautions to take: To fight against this viral disease, there is to date no preventive treatment or vaccine. The only way to avoid it is to protect yourself as much as possible from mosquito bites in the same way as for malaria: mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, long clothes.
Regions concerned: whole of the intertropical zone in particular Asia and South America and in the Caribbean.
Tropical diseases: the turista
Turista is often described as traveler’s diarrhea. Contrary to what one might think, the turista is not the consequence of fatigue or spices. It is indeed of infectious, bacterial or parasitic origin.
Symptoms: they appear a few days after infection and often disappear spontaneously. It is characterized by the emission of 3 to 8 liquid stools per day, accompanied by nausea and abdominal pain.
This very unpleasant disease is however not particularly dangerous except for the elderly and children in the event of severe dehydration caused by repeated diarrhea.
It is usually transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or drink.
Precautions to take:
The best way to prevent this infection is to observe strict food hygiene rules that are sometimes difficult to follow.
· Drink only bottled drinks and not from the tap. Sparkling water is often preferable because adulteration is more difficult.
Watch out for ice cubes
In the shower or when brushing your teeth, do not swallow tap water
Avoid raw vegetables
Do not consume raw unpasteurized dairy products and butter, ice cream
Avoid shellfish, fish and raw meats
Regions concerned: a priori the whole world (except perhaps North America and Western Europe) but especially countries where sanitary facilities are poor.
Tropical diseases: hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, known as “dirty hands disease”, is transmitted by consuming infected water or food.
Symptoms: fever for 1 to 2 weeks which may be accompanied by jaundice, nausea and malaise. The infection can also cause the patient to experience intense fatigue for several months.
Precautions to take: There is no cure, so it is essential to apply simple actions to avoid infection:
Wash your hands regularly and especially before consuming food and drink only bottled water.
Regions concerned: This disease is very widespread in the world and in particular in countries where sanitary conditions leave much to be desired.
Tropical diseases: Some advice before and after the stay
Before leaving:
Consult a doctor who will give you advice and preventive treatments depending on the country you are going to and will check that your vaccines are up to date.
Attention, currently two vaccines are compulsory: the vaccine against yellow fever and the vaccine against meningitis required for pilgrims going to Mecca.
Prepare a small travel case containing basic medication: against car sickness, anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea, eye drops, etc… as well as first aid products such as dressings, skin antiseptic, tweezers, etc…
Back from vacation:
Do not forget to continue certain treatments prescribed by the doctor such as the treatment against malaria.
In the event of weight loss or abnormal fatigue, diarrhoea, fever or dark urine, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Read also :
Meningitis: test your knowledge
IST: don’t forget to protect yourself
Our women/health section
