[Screening the asymptomatic traveler returning from the tropics]

When travelling to a tropical country, the tourist can be exposed to different pathogens that can cause symptoms after a long period of latency. The physician should be informed about the geographical distribution of these diseases (schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, strongyloidiasis), the situations in which an exposure can occur and the presentation of an acute or chronic infection, in order to diagnose them in the presence of symptoms. Moreover, a screening should be offered to certain groups of people considered more at risk of contracting a cosmopolitan illness (HIV) whilst travelling. A specific screening in the returning traveler is thus only justified under particular circumstances that are to be determined by a detailed history or specific signs (screening for schistosomiasis when bathing in fresh water in an endemic area).