The main travel season of the year has already started in many places. Airports have long been filled to the brim with tourists already dreaming of tropical dream beaches, exotic cocktails and faraway countries. However, travel time always means sick time. It’s not uncommon for the immune system to get overwhelmed when traveling. Stress at the airport, crowds, difficult weather conditions and unusual culinary experiences have forced many travelers to stay in bed at their vacation destination. So a complete first aid kit is essential for the travel season.
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But those who travel to distant countries need not only worry about indigestion. Local health conditions are sometimes fundamentally different from those in your own country. In tropical destinations, there are other pathogens and sometimes unknown vectors that tourists do not see as a source of potential danger at first glance. So that you can recognize the local symptoms of the disease early and act accordingly on your next long journey, we bring you some of the diseases that can be transmitted by insects in tourist destinations.
This disease is transmitted by insects
1. Dengue fever
SummaryDengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is a viral disease. The yellow fever mosquito or tiger mosquito measures up to 10 mm and can be recognized by its pointed back. With 96 million infections annually, dengue fever is the most common insect-borne disease. People can catch dengue fever multiple times, and even a second case has been reported to carry more severe symptoms.
symptoms: Dengue infection is often asymptomatic. If there are signs of illness, which are sometimes more severe if you get sick again after surviving the initial infection, flu symptoms appear. In addition to fever, headache, and chills, there is also muscle aches and loss of consciousness.
danger zoneTropical and subtropical areas, especially in urban areas with densely populated settlements.
2. Malaria
SummaryMalaria is perhaps the most well-known insect-borne disease. This disease is only transmitted by the malaria mosquito. Mosquitoes differ from traditional mosquitoes in their physical structure. They have a body tilted at a 45 degree angle with the head at its lowest point. Malaria is not caused by a virus, but rather by a single-celled parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes when bitten. If the disease is recognized in time, it can be well treated with antiparasitic drugs.
symptoms: There are different forms of the disease, depending on the type of parasitic agent. Common symptoms of all forms of malaria are high fever, feeling nauseous, weakness, headache, body aches, but sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. The main sign is a febrile seizure. Depending on the type of disease, seizures may occur periodically every day, every day, or every third day.
danger zonethroughout the tropics and subtropics. The risk is particularly high in sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia and the Western Pacific.
3. Japanese encephalitis
SummaryJapanese encephalitis is transmitted by the common mosquito. It can be transmitted by mosquitoes that carry the encephalitis virus throughout Asia. In Asia, children are more likely to develop viral-associated encephalitis. The vaccine has been approved in Germany since 2009. If you plan to stay short, longer, or frequently in a risk area, talk to your family doctor to clarify whether vaccination would be of benefit to you.
symptoms: In the majority of cases, encephalitis is asymptomatic or very mild. However, acute encephalitis can also occur, which manifests in the form of fever, headache, stiff neck, movement disorders, seizures, and cloudy consciousness. If symptoms are severe, be sure to see a doctor to start symptomatic treatment.
danger zone: Asia, especially in rural areas and during the rainy season and immediately after
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