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Barefoot Risks in Tropical Countries

Tropical regions of the world refer to areas within the equator and the surrounding areas. The temperature of these regions allows for certain kinds of vegetation to prosper and grow but can also allow certain strains of bacteria and pathogens to survive as well. Travelers throughout these regions are not accustomed to the temperatures and might go without a shirt or without shoes. Walking barefoot throughout the tropics can lead to chronic and deadly illnesses.

  1. Bilharzia

    • The main mode of infection from bilharzia is through contaminated water. The tropics experience high levels of humidity and as a result small puddles of water develop throughout the area on the ground. These puddles allow water droplets to travel around. The parasite that causes bilharzia lives in open bodies of water. Because of this, walking around barefoot in the tropics increases the chances of becoming infected with bilharzia because any open skin lesion can be a gateway for the parasite to enter the body. Once the parasite enters the body, it will travel to the intestines and other parts of the digestive system as well as the lungs. Symptoms of the bilharzia infection can vary among people but the most common include fever, an enlarged spleen, chills, rash and intense itching at the site of infection. Diarrhea and lower stomach pain can also result. Painful and frequent urination as well as hematuria, where blood is present in the urine, can also result.

    Para Typhus

    • Para typhus is caused by salmonella bacterium. The bacterium can survive in soil, ground water and contaminated food. The tropical temperature allows for bacteria to easily spread . Walking barefoot in tropical regions increases the chances of getting para typhus. Broken skin lesions on the foot can act as a gateway to enter the body. Headache, stomach pain, coughing and a slow heart rate are some of the symptoms of the disease.

    Tularaemia

    • Tularaemia, commonly known as deerfly fever, can enter the body through the oral cavity, through a mosquito vector or through skin contact. The most common mode of transmission is through skin contact with an infected animal. The animal's remains also have the ability to infect a person as well. This becomes an important factor when people decide to walk barefoot in tropical areas. The decomposing animal matter can leach into soil and as a result infect a person walking through it. A person suffering from tularaemia will experience fever, irritation in the eyes, night chills and muscle pain. Testing a blood sample can determine if the person is infected with this disease.

    Cholera

    • Cholera is an acute infection caused by the bacteria vibrio cholerae. This bacteria is usually found in puddles, water, soil and dirt. When the bacterium enters the body, it causes severe and massive diarrhea. The amount of water that the bodies loses as a result of the diarrhea is often fatal. Any contaminated soil and ground water can contain the cholera bacteria which can enter the body through broken skin and then travel through the small intestine where it releases a toxin that causes the diarrhea along with vomiting and pain.

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