Special infectious disease risks of expatriates and long-term travelers in tropical countries. Part II: infections other than malaria.
A wide range of viral, bacterial, and protozoal diseases pose risk to long-term tropical travelers. Risk varies geographically and with lifestyle. For some infections, risk increases with duration of stay, coming to resemble that of the local population. Risk management strategies include vaccination, chemoprophylaxis, avoidance measures, and screening, where appropriate. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies is recommended for all long-term travelers to (sub-)tropical areas. Lowering of the vaccination threshold for Japanese encephalitis is suggested. Meningococcal disease is rare in travelers, but vaccination is safe and acceptable. The efficacy of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is uncertain; immunological testing avoids BCG's confounding of tuberculin testing. Diarrhea is common, and self-treatment may be recommended. Sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are serious risks; education, screening, and HIV postexposure prophylaxis following involuntary exposure are recommended. Many infections are chronic or asymptomatic, and appropriate screening is recommended on return or after prolonged exposure.
Toovey
Stephen
S
Royal Free Hospital Medical School, London, UK. malaria@freesurf.ch
Moerman
Filip
F
van Gompel
Alfons
A
D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014611:Vaccination