What condition is characterized by abdominal pain and coughing in a traveler to Africa or the Far East?

The condition characterized by abdominal pain and coughing in a traveler to Africa or the Far East is indeed an Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Ascaris lumbricoides, commonly known as the large roundworm, is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites globally, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

When a person ingests the eggs of Ascaris, they hatch in the intestines, and the larvae can migrate through the bloodstream to the lungs. This can lead to respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty in breathing, as the larvae get into the lung tissues. The abdominal pain often arises from the intestinal obstruction or irritation caused by the adult worms residing in the intestines once they complete their life cycle.

This clinical presentation is particularly pertinent for travelers who may not have been previously exposed to such infections, making them more susceptible.

The other options do present diverse symptoms, but they do not typically align with both coughing and abdominal pain as prominently as Ascaris lumbricoides infection. For example, typhoid fever primarily presents with systemic symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, but not specifically with a cough. Malaria usually causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms rather than abdominal pain and