Dengue Fever | Overview of tropical diseases

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, also known as bone breaker fever, is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted by a certain type of mosquito and occurs mainly in the tropics of Asia. The symptoms can be divided into three phases. First, there is a fever and aching limbs and muscles.

Later, after a brief drop in fever, there is a renewed rise in body temperature and skin rashes. Usually the symptoms subside afterwards and only rarely the third phase occurs, in which bleeding and blood changes occur. The therapy is symptom-oriented and there is no vaccination.

River blindness

The river-blindness is also called Onchozerkose and occurs particularly in Africa and America. It is transmitted by nematodes and leads to an increased infectious accumulation in the eye area. As a result, about 10% of all infected persons suffer from visual impairment or even complete blindness. But other symptoms, such as skin changes and itching, can also occur. The treatment is carried out with the help of the drugs ivermectin and suramin, which can completely cure this tropical disease.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is transmitted by tubercle bacteria. These are particularly resistant, which is why the disease is difficult to control, especially in developing countries. The symptoms initially include slight fever, night sweats, weight loss and an infestation of the lungs with cough and sputum.

Infected persons whose immune system is weakened may later develop an infestation of the other organs, such as bone or skin tuberculosis.There are different methods to detect tuberculosis. Drug treatment includes rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide, which must be taken over several months. Due to the insufficient effectiveness of the so-called BCG vaccination against tuberculosis, it is no longer generally recommended.