Exotic diseases from distant countries can be avoided by following basic safety rules
First, it must be remembered that a white person in a tropical climate faces many surprises. The main danger is parasites. Most disease agents can remain in the body for a long time. Often they do not reveal themselves, masquerading as seemingly familiar ailments.
For example, from Turkey, now so close, it is quite possible to bring back a dysentery amoeba. It enters the human body through water and food. Affecting the large intestine, the parasite causes a disease called amebiasis. Sometimes the pathogen gets into the liver, brain, and other human organs. As experts from the medical portal MedPrice.com.ua note, the symptoms of the disease are very similar to trivial poisoning. Without learning where the patient has been recently, the doctor treats the external manifestations of the disease.
Treatment of amebiasis is difficult and lengthy. How to avoid infection? First, watch what you eat and drink, and if you feel unwell, tell the doctor where you were on vacation. By the way, amebiasis can actually be contracted even in neighboring countries – in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, or the Caucasus.
The most dangerous disease that can be contracted in the tropics is malaria. The malaria parasite enters the human body through an infected Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms do not appear immediately. One might mistake chills and fever for a common cold and start self-medicating. And as a result, die without having cured the 'cold'. The most severe form of malaria is in Thailand. Nevertheless, you can vacation there more or less safely, since the resorts are outside the malaria zone. Just don't venture deep into the country, because on the border with Burma malaria is rampant, against which modern medicine is powerless. And there are no vaccines for this disease yet.
But there are medications that must be taken before and after the trip (and of course, during the journey as well). Only strictly according to the doctor's recommendation and a special regimen. Also discuss with your doctor the need for vaccination: those traveling to some countries in Africa and South America need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, definitely against hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, and other infections.
In many countries in Africa, Southeast and Southwest Asia, insects sometimes give tourists filariasis. The disease manifests as skin rashes and itching. If the body itches severely, for example after a trip to the Philippines, you need to see a doctor immediately. In exotic countries there lives the so-called mangrove fly, which likes to lay larvae in underwear or towels (if dried outdoors) or in swimsuits hung on balconies. The fly's offspring move from the laundry under the tourist's skin. Only thorough ironing of each item will help avoid this undesirable cohabitation.
Do not swim in freshwater areas, because there, besides lilies and fish, there are schistosome larvae that can cause a lot of trouble for the vacationer. In addition, it is best not to walk barefoot and not to lie on the sand without clothing. Here, the tourist is waiting for the larvae of the dog hookworm, which, penetrating under the skin, shamelessly burrow through it.
It is practically impossible to list all parasites. However, this does not mean that you have to lock yourself in a room and give up all the joys of life. Travel, relax, but do not forget to follow safety rules and take precautions to protect your health.