Tropical diseases

Question 1

Who is at risk of malaria?

Answer 1

Pregnant women, travellers, non-immune migrants, young children, rural areas, near water sources where larvae exist

Question 2

When does malaria occur?

Answer 2

Endemic but seasonal outbreaks due to rainy season

Question 3

Malaria transmission?

Answer 3

Vector-bourne via mosquitos

Question 4

How can you control the vector?

Answer 4

Kill mosquitos, stop breeding, remove stagnant water sources, understand their behaviour e.g. most active between dusk and dawn

Question 5

How can you protect the host?

Answer 5

Appropriate clothing with long sleeves etc., insecticide treated nets, deet, chemoprophylaxis, vaccine, good infrastructure e.g. windows and doors

Question 6

What treatment is available?

Answer 6

Malaria drugs can act as prevention as human are hosts and reservoirs, need to be a prompt diagnosis and treatment

Question 7

What kind of infections cause tropical diseases?

Answer 7

Viruses e.g. dengue fever 
Bacteria - e.g. typhoid 
Protozoa - e.g. malaria 
Helminths - e.g. hookworm 
Fungi - e.g. histoplasmosis