According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tropical diseases refer to those that originate in the tropics; that is, in climates with a high prevalence of humidity and high temperatures.

But what are they specifically? What are your symptoms? What precautions should be taken into account when making a trip abroad?

Tropical diseases: discover which are the most common

These pathologies can be found in countries with tropical and / or humid subtropical climate, such as: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia, in Latin America; as well as other countries in Asia and Africa. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the four main tropical diseases are the following:

Malaria

It is produced by parasites transmitted through infected female mosquitoes. Among its symptoms, the following stand out: fever, febrile conditions, vomiting, migraines and chills. Much of the deaths from this disease occur in young children who do not receive the necessary medical attention. The sites with the highest incidence are positioned in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and in Southeast Asia.

Cholera

This intestinal infectious state is the result of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, present in water or in food. Its most serious symptom is diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and subsequent death. It is found with greater epidemiological frequency in countries of South and Central America, Asia and Africa.

Dengue

This is a viral disease, transmitted by the bite of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Its symptomatology is determined by: diarrhea, bleeding, constipation, high fever, enlarged lymph nodes, migraine, eye, abdominal and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes. In relation to geographical foci, urban and semi-urban sectors of countries in South America, Central America and Southeast Asia can be referenced.

Yellow fever

It constitutes a viral and hemorrhagic disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes and Haemagogus families. Etymologically, it is credited with the title of "yellow" because it causes jaundice. In addition, it usually generates: fever, migraines, muscle conditions, vomiting and fatigue. On the other hand, the countries with the highest number of yellow fever cases are part of Africa and Central America.

When traveling to tropical sites, what recommendations should be evaluated?

If you are going to visit one of the tropical countries at risk, from QTAssist, it is advisable to consider the following items:

• Consult with the attending physician, before carrying out the crossing to endemic areas. Thus, the necessary information on the need to be vaccinated against any of these pathologies can be received. For example, a case of compulsory vaccination is the yellow fever.
• Verify that the destination hosting site has mosquito nets in its different openings.
• Drink drinking water and make sure you eat food in good condition.