Even in childhood, Russians are vaccinated against many diseases - for example, against measles, smallpox, scarlet fever. Other diseases, such as mumps or chickenpox, most of us have time to get sick before reaching maturity. But there are infections for which a Russian person is not immune. These are mainly so-called tropical diseases.
Malaria
Found in tropical countries. Infection occurs as a result of the bite of a mosquito, whose saliva contains malaria plasmodium. The insidiousness of the disease is that the incubation period can last from a week to a month, and in some cases the disease generally manifests itself only after a few years. Symptoms are fever, chills, weakness, headache. The tropical variety of malaria is especially dangerous - without the necessary treatment, it can be fatal. To keep yourself safe from malaria, especially when in the tropics, avoid mosquito bites. Cover windows and doorways with special mosquito nets, use fumigators indoors, go outside, use repellents. A week before leaving for a tropical area, it will not hurt to start taking special antimalarial drugs. You need to drink them during the entire stay there and for another month after returning.
Yellow fever
Found in Africa and the jungles of South America. The causative agent is the Flavivirus virus, which is carried by special tropical mosquitoes. After the bite, the virus enters the lymph nodes, and after 3-6 days it is released into the blood. The onset of the disease is characterized by fever, headache, and the appearance of a reddish rash on the body. Fever is fatal in 50% of cases. To protect yourself from yellow fever, it is advisable to get a special vaccination 10 days before leaving for the tropics. After that, you will acquire immunity from the disease for 10 years.
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African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
This ailment is found in African countries. Its causative agent, trypanosome, enters the human body with the bite of the tsetse fly. It enters the circulatory system, causing flu-like symptoms, and then into the brain, which leads to serious mental disorders. As a result, the patient falls into a coma and dies. The disease can develop for a long time - from six months to several years. To avoid falling prey to "sleeping sickness", first of all, avoid tsetse fly bites. When in Africa, use standard insect repellent. If you are bitten by a tsetse fly, see your doctor immediately.
Schistosomiasis
The disease is spread by tropical parasitic worms that affect the genitourinary system and the digestive system. They are found in fresh water. The larvae of worms penetrate the human body through the skin or mucous membranes. The incubation period lasts one and a half months. Symptoms of the disease are a wet cough, pain in muscles and joints, and swollen lymph nodes. In order not to become a victim of schistosomiasis, do not go barefoot near rivers and water bodies, do not swim or wash clothes there, drink only boiled water.
Cholera
Nowadays, cholera is found mainly in third world countries. Vibrio cholerae causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to rapid dehydration. Convulsions occur, temperature and pressure drop, the patient may fall into a coma. If you do not start treating him with antibiotics in time, death occurs in a few days. To avoid cholera, be sure to wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating or cooking, and drink only boiled water. It is advisable to pour over vegetables and fruits with boiling water after washing. Buy only proven products, swim only in approved places.
Plague
Plague is extremely rare, but it does occur. The carriers of the plague bacillus are fleas, which, in turn, are carried by various animals such as camels, hares and rodents. If such a flea bites a person, the causative agent of the disease enters the body. Its signs are a sharp increase in body temperature, as well as an increase in lymph nodes. You can get infected from another patient, while the plague affects the lungs. It is possible to cure the patient if the procedures are started in the very first hours after the onset of the disease. If you plan to travel to an area prone to plague infections, it is best to get vaccinated beforehand. Try to stay in decent hotels, not to come into contact with animals that may be carriers of the plague.