TM5501 - Tropical Medicine

Tropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases and health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions. Tropical medicine historically has focused on communicable and infectious diseases, but increasing attention is being given to the burden of non-communicable diseases and injury in these regions. This subject, TM5501 Tropical Medicine, is primarily concerned with the communicable and infectious diseases that remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions, with priority being given to diseases of public health significance in the Asia-Pacific region. These diseases include 'the big three' (malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS), vector-borne diseases (including dengue and Japanese encephalitis), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis, rabies and leprosy), 'tropical fevers' (including typhoid and leptospirosis), tropical paediatric priorities (including pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases and measles) and several others (including cholera and hepatitis).

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse and prioritise the importance of common tropical diseases and problems relevant to Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region;
• Identify the microbiological, entomological and parasitic agents underlying these tropical diseases;
• Critically examine and evaluate methods of diagnosis, management and prevention of tropical diseases of global importance (i.e. to the World Health Organization).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.