Illness in returned travelers and immigrants/refugees: The 6-year experience of two Australian infectious diseases units

Abstract

Background. Data comparing returned travelers and immigrants/refugees managed in a hospital setting is lacking. Methods. We prospectively collected data on 1,106 patients with an illness likely acquired overseas who presented to two hospital-based Australian infectious diseases units over a 6-year period. Results. Eighty-three percent of patients were travelers and 17% immigrants/refugees. In travelers, malaria (19%), gastroenteritis/diarrhea (15%), and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (7%) were the most common diagnoses. When compared with immigrants/refugees, travelers were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with gastroenteritis/diarrhea [odds ratio (OR) 8], malaria (OR 7), ..