Evaluation of fever in the returned traveler.

The differential diagnosis of a febrile illness in the returned traveler is extensive. The most commonly encountered tropical infections are malaria, dysentery, hepatitis, and dengue fever; a substantial number of febrile illnesses are never diagnosed. Malaria is by far the most important infection to consider in the returned traveler who presents with fever. As international travel continues to increase in popularity, the ongoing need for clinicians to broaden their knowledge of travel-related diseases is evident. The ability to recognize and manage tropical diseases in travelers is essential because the morbidity and mortality of these infections are often preventable with prompt therapy. When expertise in this area is lacking, febrile returned travelers should be referred to a tropical disease unit or an infectious disease consultant for urgent assessment.