Diagnosis and management of tropical infections in travellers and expatriates at the Australian Embassy Clinic, Laos: Experience in a limited-resource environment

Journal article

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is located in South East Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. There is a large resident expatriate community as well as many foreign travellers. Health care resources available to this population are limited to a few embassy-based clinics. This review presents a perspective on managing tropical infections in the context of an expatriate clinic in the Lao PDR. Patients present with a variety of tropical infections and are often treated presumptively with minimal local laboratory support. Other laboratory tests that may be helpful to make an accurate diagnosis are detailed and discussed.

Authors: Burford, B; Blacksell, S

• Journal: Australian Journal of Medical Science
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 34-38
• Publication date: 2006-02-01
• ISSN: 1038-1643
• Language: English
• Keywords: Lao PDR; Diagnosis; Expatriates; Travellers; Resources; Developing country