Malaria

The day before I got diagnosed with malaria the first time, while working in Ifakara, Morogoro region, an area with one of the highest malaria infection rates in Tanzania.

One thing that a lot of people ask me about my life in Africa, is wether I have had malaria before. And the answer is: Yes!

In the eight years I have been in Tanzania, I have suffered from malaria six times.

European people about to tavel to Africa are usually advised to take anti-malaria medicine by their doctors, but I would advise you against this.

Here is why:

First of all, some of the commonly prescribed anti-malarials, like the antibiotic 'doxycycline' is, as the name says, an anti-BIOTIC - it is therefore not able to fight a malaria infection in your body, as malaria is caused by an amoeba, a single-celled organism different to a bacterium.

During my first year in Tanzania I took doxycycline daily, as advised to me but contracted malaria after seven months.

Secondly, the risk of contracting malaria has a great seasonal variance. During the coldest months in Africa (May-August) the number of mosquitos is comparatively low and therefore the risk of being bitten and falling ill, is as well.

It also depends on where you plan to spend your time. Mosquitos prefer humid, moist and low-lying lands to cold areas of high altitude.

If you come to Tanzania only to climb Kilimanjaro for a week, you will probably not even be bitten.

Majestic Mount Meru, Arusha. In mountainous areas mosquitos are rare and malaria infection rates low.

Thirdly, anti-malarials have significant side effects and a negative impact on your gut flora and immune system. Even doctors usually admit that it is not advised to take them longer than three months.

I would advise anyone coming to Africa to refrain from buying expensive anti-malarials and to invest instead in a self-tester kit, a course of malarone or any other malaria treatment, a mosquito net and plenty of mosquito-repellent.

Malaria is a potentially deadly disease but it is avoidable. By applying common sense and caution you already reduce the risk of contracting it.

It is also good to know that even in some of the most remote corners of Africa, malaria medication is available and that new treatment facilities are on the rise.