Tropical Medicine

If you are from or have traveled to developing areas, your health and safety are always top of mind. Our experts in tropical medicine at UConn Health understand the unique healthcare challenges posed by tropical regions and international travel. Our commitment to providing the best care extends beyond borders and across a multidisciplinary spectrum of specialties, ensuring you’ll receive the most comprehensive and well-rounded treatment before you travel and when you return home.

What Is Tropical Medicine?

Tropical medicine is a specialized field of healthcare dedicated to understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These regions are known for their unique environmental and epidemiological factors, which contribute to the spread of diseases not commonly found in more temperate climates.

Why Is Tropical Medicine Important?

Tropical diseases pose health risks to millions of people who live in or visit these regions. They can cause severe illness, disability, and even death if not addressed promptly and effectively.

The globalization of travel and trade has made it crucial for individuals from non-tropical areas to be aware of these diseases when traveling to exotic locations. People who are originally from other areas may also be at risk of having acquired tropical infections prior to coming to the United States. We collaborate with other programs including Travel Medicine, Immigrant Health, and Refugee/Asylee programs as needed to provide the highest level of appropriate care.

Tropical Diseases & Conditions

Tropical medicine specialists diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of infectious diseases and health conditions commonly encountered in tropical and subtropical regions. Some examples of conditions we may see and treat include:

• Malaria
• Dengue fever
• Yellow fever
• Typhoid fever
• Zika virus
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Schistosomiasis
• Leishmaniasis
• Cholera
• Chikungunya
• Parasitic infections
• Tropical skin conditions
• Traveler's diarrhea
• Other vaccine-preventable diseases

Tips for Travelers

• Plan to obtain necessary travel immunizations at least 6 to 8 weeks before your trip.
• If there is a risk of malaria where you will visit, wear protective clothing, sleep beneath netting or screening, and use repellents to avoid mosquitoes transmitting malaria or other illnesses. Be sure to obtain and take preventive medication for malaria when appropriate.
• Take a first-aid kit with an extra supply of medications you take regularly.
• To help prevent diarrhea during travel to developing countries, avoid salads, fruits you cannot peel yourself, and poorly cooked meats and seafood. Also, avoid untreated water or ice.
• If you become ill after returning home, remember to inform your physician of your travel history.

Preparing for Post-COVID Travel

The UConn Health Division of Infectious Diseases is poised to meet our travelers’ needs related to post–pandemic travel. We will help you be prepared for any COVID-19 regulations and help you be ready for ground transportation such as trains and buses, however long your stay may be or the number of locations you plan to visit.