Living in tropical climates comes with its own set of unique health risks. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs can spread a variety of diseases, some of which can be fatal if left untreated.
While it’s important to take preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing or using insect repellent, it’s equally important to know how to treat these diseases should they occur. Here is a look at some of the most common tropical diseases and the medicines used to treat them, suggested by Dr Lou Hampers , who has a board certification for working at Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics.
Malaria
Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and vomiting. If not treated promptly, malaria can become life-threatening. Treatment for malaria typically includes antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine or artemisinin combination therapies (ACT). These drugs are widely available in many tropical countries and vary in price depending on the region and brand name.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is another mosquito-borne disease that is becoming increasingly common in tropical countries due to climate change and urbanization.
The symptoms include high fever, severe headache, joint pain, nausea, and rashes on the body. Treatment for dengue fever involves rest and fluids, along with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol for pain relief.
If symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment with OTC medications, then medical attention should be sought immediately, as this could indicate more serious complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is an infectious disease that is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes found in parts of Africa and South America. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, and nausea, as well as jaundice (yellowing of the skin); if left untreated, it can be fatal.
Vaccination against yellow fever is highly recommended if you are traveling to an area where the disease is endemic, and there are no effective treatments once infected with yellow fever, so prevention remains key here Lou Hampers!
Endnote
Knowledge about which medicines work best against each type of disease should always be sought before traveling to any new destination, so make sure you do your research beforehand!