Tropical diseases

Diseases that have not been relevant to the western world for the last many decades have again become very important with regards to prevention and treatment since an increasing travelling activity to exotic parts of the world brings people into close contact with new cultures and environments. This might cause an exposure to other diseases. Some of them are very difficult to be protected from but for the most part a lot can be done to avoid them.
The destination is of great importance as to which diseases you should try to avoid just as the time of year plays a great role as to which diseases are prevailing in a given area. The risk of being infected with some kinds of diseases is larger during or right after the rainy season than during periods of drout - this is all, however, dependant on where you are located on the earth.
The way of travelling and the duration also have great significance. A short city vacation, of course, does not present the same risks as a trecking vacation through the rainforest of several months' duration. It is necessary, therefore, that the conditions regarding the particular area you want to visit have been thoroughly investigated before departure.
Tropical climates are the type of climate that is the most prevailing on the face of the earth and it is present on more or less all continents with the exception of Europe. The tropical climate is extended on both sides of the Equator in Africa and South America but also covers quite big parts of Central America, Northern Australia, South- and South East Asia plus the Caribbean.
For most people it takes 2 - 3 weeks to get used (acclimatized) to the much warmer weather and for some people this is easier than for others. If you are not acclimatized you can risk fainting indoors during the first hours after arriving to the tropical areas. A deficit in liquid and salt or a reduced ability to sweat can cause exhaustion in the heat to which the body is not accustomed.
Tropical diseases are caused by either bacterial-, parasite-, or viral infections plus bites or stinges from poisonous animals. Parasites are a frequent cause. The diseases in the tropical areas (in alphabetical order) are:
Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis): See "Parasite infection".
Brucellosis: See "Bacterial infections in general".
Chaga's disease (Trypanosoma cruzi): See "Parasite infection".
Cholera (Vibrio Cholerae): See "Bacterial infections in general".
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: See "Cutanous Leishmaniasis" under "Parasite infection".
Dengue fever: See "Viral infection".
Diphtheria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae): See "Bacterial infections in general".
Dysentery (Entamoeba Histolytica): Can be caused by amoeba or bacteria - see "Parasite infection".
Ebola fever: See "Ebola" and "Viral infection".
Elephantiasis: See "Parasite infection" and "Filariasis".
Giardiasis: See "Parasite infection".
Hepatitis: See "Hepatitis".
Japanese encephalitis: See "Viral infection".
Jaundice: See "Hepatitis".
Kala azar (Leishmaniasis): See "Leishmaniasis" under "Parasite infection".
Lassa fever: See "Viral infection".
Lyme Borreliosis: See "Lyme Borreliosis - Lyme disease".
Malaria: See "Malaria".
Marburg disease: See "Viral infection".
Parathyphoid fever: See "Bacterial infections in general".
Polio (Infantile paralysis): See "Viral infection".
Rabies: See "Viral infection".
River blindness: See "Parasite infection" and "Filariasis".
Scorpion bites: See "Poisonous animals".
Shigella dysentery (Bacillary dysentery): See "Bacterial infections in general".
Snake bites: See "Poisonous animals".
Spider bites: See "Poisonous animals".
Trichinosis: See ""Intestinal worms".
Trypanosomiasis: See "Parasite infection".
Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis): See "Bacterial infections in general".
Typhoid fever: See "Bacterial infections in general".
Yellow fever (Febris flava): See "Viral infection".
Yersinia Pestis (Bubonic plague): See "Bacterial infections in general".
Seek for the respective diseases and see the "Recommendations" for them.