Tropical diseases are infectious diseases that often occur in tropical climates, including Indonesia. What are the types of tropical diseases? Let's follow the discussion in the following article.
Tropical diseases can be caused by various types of infections, ranging from viral, bacterial, fungal, to parasitic infections. The spread or transmission of the disease can occur directly from one person to another or through disease-carrying animals (vectors), such as mosquitoes and insects. Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans are also called zoonoses.
The high incidence of infectious diseases in the tropics is caused by climatic factors, such as warm temperatures and humidity and high rainfall. In addition, environmental factors, such as poor hygiene and sanitation, are also the cause of why tropical diseases are still prevalent in several countries.
Therefore, you should be more aware of tropical diseases, because some of these diseases are contagious and very dangerous for health.
Some Types of Tropical Diseases
The following are some types of tropical diseases found in Indonesia:
1. Dengue fever
Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus which enters the human body through mosquito bites Aedes aegypti. Symptoms of this disease usually appear 4-6 days after being bitten by the mosquito.
The following are some of the symptoms of dengue fever:
- High fever.
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Muscle and bone pain.
- Decreased appetite.
- Pain behind the eye.
- Bleeding, such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or easy bruising.
- Red rash (appears about 2-5 days after fever).
To prevent transmission of dengue fever, you are advised to use mosquito nets and install mosquito netting on windows and doors of the house.
In addition, the government also urges the public to take 3M Plus as a step to prevent dengue fever, namely draining water reservoirs, closing water reservoirs tightly, and recycling goods that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti.
2. Elephant Feet
Another tropical disease that is still quite common in Indonesia is elephantiasis or filariasis. This disease is caused by filarial worms which are also transmitted through mosquito bites. When it enters the body through a mosquito bite, the worm will block the flow of lymph.
Some people with this disease have no symptoms. However, some other patients may experience symptoms such as fever, swelling in the legs, and sores on the skin. In addition to the legs, swelling can also occur in the arms, breasts, and even genital organs.
Prevention of elephantiasis is almost the same as preventing dengue fever. However, prevention of this disease can also be done by taking elephantiasis medicine regularly.
3. Malaria
Malaria is a tropical disease which is endemic in Indonesia. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted through mosquito bites Anopheles female.
Symptoms of malaria will appear 10-15 days after being bitten by a mosquito. When exposed to malaria, a person can feel symptoms of fever, headache, chills, sweating a lot, pain in bones and muscles, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. If left untreated, malaria can become severe malaria that attacks the brain.
Prevention of malaria is generally the same as preventing dengue fever, which is to stay away from mosquito bites and prevent mosquitoes from nesting in the house and its surroundings.
In addition, additional malaria prevention measures can be taken by taking prophylactic antimalarial drugs, namely doxycycline, according to a doctor's prescription.
4. Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease caused by the schistosoma parasitic worm. This type of parasite is found in ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or canals in tropical or subtropical areas.
Not only schistosomiasis, other helminthic diseases such as pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms are also commonly found in tropical countries, including Indonesia.
Symptoms of schistosomiasis will usually appear within a few weeks after being infected with schistosomal worms. Some of the symptoms of schistosomiasis that can occur include:
- Dizzy
- Fever
- Shivering
- Red rash and itching on the skin
- Cough
- Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain
- Muscle and joint pain
If it gets worse, schistosomiasis can cause more severe symptoms, such as bloody urine or stools, swelling of the stomach, kidneys, or spleen, and even paralysis.
To prevent this tropical disease, you are advised to maintain personal hygiene and the surrounding environment as well as filter and boil water until it is completely cooked before drinking.
5. Fungal infections
Fungi that cause infection easily grow in tropical climates where the temperature is warm and humid. Environmental conditions like this make people living in the tropics at higher risk for fungal infections.
Several types of fungal infections that are often found in tropical countries, such as Indonesia, include nail fungus, ringworm, tinea versicolor, and candidiasis. This fungal infection can occur in any part of the body, such as the hands, feet, and face.
Various types of fungal infections of the skin are caused by many factors, ranging from physical contact with infected people, poor body hygiene, to weak immune systems.
These fungal infections can be prevented in several ways, including:
- Keep the body clean by bathing regularly and drying the body afterward.
- Immediately dry the body and change clothes whenever sweating.
- Avoid sharing the use of personal equipment, such as towels and clothes, with others.
- Use clothes that are clean and easy to absorb sweat.
- Wear footwear in public places or every activity.
- Regularly trim fingernails and toenails.
6. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease, which often attacks the lungs, can be transmitted through splashes of saliva when a TB patient coughs or sneezes.
In addition to the lungs, TB can also attack other organs, such as lymph nodes, brain, bones, kidneys, digestive tract, and skin.
TB patients may experience symptoms in the form of weight loss, cold sweats, weakness, coughing up blood, and coughing that does not improve in more than 3 weeks.
TB needs to be treated with antituberculosis drugs for at least 6 months without stopping the drug. This is important to do to prevent transmission of TB to others and to prevent the occurrence of MDR TB or drug-resistant TB.
7. Leprosy
Leprosy is a disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. This disease attacks and damages the nervous system, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of the nose. If not treated immediately, leprosy can cause severe nerve damage and cause disability in the sufferer.
Some of the symptoms that can be experienced by leprosy patients include:
- Tingling or numbness
- Red or white patches appear on the skin
- Loss of eyebrows and eyelashes
- Painless sores or ulcers
- Hair loss in certain body parts
- Pain and swelling in the joints
Leprosy is more at risk for people who have weak immune systems and live in leprosy endemic areas, including Indonesia, India, and China.
In addition to the diseases above, there are several other tropical diseases that you also need to be aware of, such as trachoma, rabies, chikungunya, cholera, leptospirosis, and yaws.
Climatic factors that cause high cases of tropical diseases in Indonesia and several other tropical countries cannot be avoided.
However, the risk of getting tropical diseases can be reduced if you regularly maintain health and hygiene of yourself and the surrounding environment by washing your hands frequently or cleaning your hands thoroughly. hand sanitizer, wear masks when traveling, and don't litter.
If you experience several symptoms that indicate a possible tropical disease, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment. In children, tropical diseases can be treated by a tropical disease consultant pediatrician.