Warm, tropical locations can make it easier for bacteria, parasites, and viruses to grow. These places may present a greater than normal risk for infections that are not common in other areas of the world.
Tropical infectious diseases include:
- Dengue fever
- Yellow fever
- Arboviruses
- Cholera
- Tuberculosis
- Ebola virus
- Lassa virus
- Malaria
When traveling to tropical places, you should take precautions to prevent these conditions. An infectious disease physician can help.
Tests
Medical History and Exam
If your physician suspects you have a tropical infectious disease, he or she may ask you about recent travel, your symptoms, and more to determine the likely cause of your illness.
Blood Tests
In some cases, a physician can study a sample of your blood in a laboratory to identify the cause of your condition.
Treatments
Immunizations
Before traveling to certain locations, you should receive special immunizations to prevent diseases.
Travel Medicine
An infectious disease physician can also talk to you about how to reduce your risk for infection while traveling, such as not drinking unfiltered water, washing your hands frequently, or taking medicines to prevent infections.
Supportive Care
If you have a tropical infectious disease, you may need to receive care in the hospital to prevent giving the disease to others and to help your body fight off the condition. Supportive care may include fever-reducing medicines, pain medicines, intravenous (IV) fluids, and respiratory support.
Antibiotic Medicines
If your infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics can help your body fight the disease.
Why Choose UHealth?
Advanced, specialized care to fight infections. From the latest diagnostic techniques to the newest evidence-based medicines, our infectious disease physicians offer specialized care for many infectious diseases including HIV, cytomegalovirus, fungal infections, mycobacterial infections, and more. We create personalized treatment plans based on the cause of your infection and your health to prevent and fight bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. You’ll have access to expert physicians, more treatment options, and supportive care that focuses on your needs.
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