The Traveler's and Tropical Diseases Clinic at Shaare Zedek Medical Center deals with a variety of illnesses that individuals may contract after traveling to developing countries known for endemic tropical diseases. Please note: The clinic is not intended for pre-travel vaccinations. Travelers who have recently returned from trips to third-world countries and specifically from the African continent should pay attention to the following symptoms:
1. Fever: Fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, with or without chills, in travelers who have just returned from trips to third-world countries and the African continent, especially, requires investigation for malaria. Early treatment for malaria is of great importance both in terms of disease severity and complications. Diagnosis is performed using blood smears and antigen tests for malaria, tests that can only be conducted in isolation rooms.
2. Gastrointestinal diseases: Diarrhea or abdominal pain accompanied by severe fatigue are very common after travel to certain destinations. The most common pathogens causing post-travel illness are intestinal parasites. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a stool examination to detect parasites (3 different samples) and eosinophilia in the blood. It is important to note that negative test results do not rule out a parasitic infection, and if necessary, referral to the Traveler's and Tropical Diseases Clinic for further investigation is advised.