Travel medicine and infectious disease
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Travel Med Infect Dis · May 2007
Case ReportsCase report: cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly.
Cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly, involves the infestation of human tissue with fly larvae, and is common in Central and South America. We report a case of a 57-year-old man with cutaneous myiasis imported into the US from Belize. The epidemiology, biological life cycle, clinical presentation, and various methods of larval extraction, including incision and drainage, are discussed.
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Travel Med Infect Dis · Mar 2007
What are the moral obligations of the traveller in relation to vaccination?
More and more people each year are involved in international travel for reasons of business and pleasure. Such travel brings great economic and social benefits but it also has serious potential medical costs because it creates greater opportunities for the spread of infectious disease. ⋯ What are the relevant moral obligations, in this situation? What are the boundaries of legitimate restrictions that can be placed upon an individual for the sake of protecting others from disease? Do we have extra special obligations to protect others from harm when we choose to travel abroad (beyond those we might have to other people in our own country)? I explore two different arguments suggesting that we do have an obligation to be vaccinated in this case. The first argument is built upon the potential harm to other people that might arise in the case of vaccination-refusal, and the second argument looks at the need to contribute to the preservation of public goods, such as herd protection.
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Malaria is increasing worldwide due to the emergence and spread of drug resistant strains. This poses major health and economic problems for the population living in endemic areas and increases the risk of infections in travelers. ⋯ Uncomplicated malaria can be treated with oral drugs while severe infections will be hospitalized and treated with injectables. Special attention will be given to the most susceptible groups: children and pregnant women.
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Travel Med Infect Dis · Nov 2005
Wilderness event medicine: planning for mass gatherings in remote areas.
An increasing number of large recreational events are taking place in remote environments where medical care is far away. Such events include adventure races and large outdoor trips. Wilderness event medicine (WEM) has been previously defined as the healthcare response at any discrete event with more than 200 persons located more than 1h from hospital treatment. However, there is little literature describing the steps for providing medical care at such events. ⋯ WEM will likely continue to grow and evolve as a specialty. Additional reports from wilderness events, perhaps facilitated through a web-based incident reporting system, will allow medical providers to improve the quality of care given at remote events. Research into wilderness activity physiology will also be useful in understanding the prevention and treatment of injuries and illnesses encountered.
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Travel Med Infect Dis · May 2003
Dengue fever in febrile returning travellers to a UK regional infectious diseases unit.
Background. Dengue occurs in many tourist destinations, and is increasingly imported by returning travellers. We review the epidemiology and clinical features of confirmed dengue in returning travellers presenting to a UK regional infectious diseases unit. ⋯ Conclusions. Dengue is an important cause of illness in hospitalised febrile returning travellers. It should be considered in first-time travellers, with thrombocytopenia and negative malaria films who present with symptoms soon after return.