Folgen importierter Tropenkrankheiten in Deutschland

20-50% of all travellers to tropical and subtropical countries
experience health problems during or after travel. Mainly
respiratory tract infections or gastrointestinal disorders are
predominant. As specific disorders imported from the tropics
traveller's diarrhoea is prevailing, however amebic and helminthic
infections, hepatitis A, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases as
well skin disorders are rather common. Classical tropical diseases
such as cholera, sleeping sickness or trachoma play only a very
minor role as imported infections. The majority of health
impairments during or after travel are uncomplicated or self
limiting. However, falciparum malaria, viral hepatitides, typhoid
fever, tropical viral infections and infections of the CNS can take
a malicious course. Early diagnosis and treatment generally can
provide complete cure without sequels. Sequels are most commonly
seen following hepatitis B and C as well as HIV infection but also
as a result of CNS infections (e.g. encephalitis) and of imported
tuberculosis. For medical expert opinion it is essential that
sequels were present already during the acute phase of illness. The
socio-economical impact of infections imported from the tropics is
considerable due to the high morbidity figures. Preventive measures
before and after a stay in tropical countries could markedly reduce
the health risks involved.