A medical history question

The likely explanation as to why Europeans had so many more diseases than Native Americans is two-fold.

1 - Many Europeans lived in very close-quartered cities which enhanced the spread of diseases.

2 - Europeans weren't exactly known for their grooming standards. It can be argued the "savages" were much more civilized when it came to personal hygene.

Also, when a European caught some "jungle fever" he likely died before making the 3-month trip back home. The Indians were already home and thus able to spread new diseases far more easily.