Here's a rogue's gallery of parasites to watch out for. There are a lot of them out there. The scourge of jungle adventurers everywhere, malaria is the most virulent of parasitic diseases, and is responsible for more than 1 million deaths per year in more than 100 countries. Cerebral malaria, a more virulent form of the disease, can be fatal if you are beyond reach of a hospital and blood transfusions. Malaria can stay with you for life, the symptoms recurring on a semi-annual basis.
Prescription drugs can alleviate the symptoms, but the best course of action is prevention.
Drugs such as Lariam or Aralen are effective against certain strains, though some patients have severe reactions. Often confused with malaria, this disease also flies on the wings of the mosquito population. Globally, there are an estimated 50 to 100 million cases each year. It can also have a potentially lethal complication called Dengue haemorrhagic fever, which causes severe internal bleeding. As no vaccine or treatment is available, all you can do is try to endure the symptoms with bed rest, fluid intake and pain medication.