Health

	Yellow fever (Updated 21st April 2008) is a viral disease transmitted between humans by a mosquito. General precautions to avoid mosquito bites should be followed. These include the use of insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito netting. Yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in travellers, but some countries in Africa still have regulations and requirements for yellow fever vaccination. Among them – Tanzania. Yellow fever vaccine entry requirements are necessary for travelers to comply with in order to enter Tanzania. In general, these are in place to prevent importation and transmission of yellow fever virus. Countries requiring yellow fever vaccination for entry adhere to the regulations put forth by WHO as stated in the International Health Regulations. Some countries require vaccination for travelers coming from an endemic zone. “Traveling from an endemic zone” is defined as transit through an endemic zone in the previous 6 (six) days. The vaccination is relatively cheap and it is valid for 10 years. And don’t forget, that yellow fever is a deadly disease without any known cure. Check on the situation with your local ‘Travel Medicine Clinic’ or the nearest Tanzanian representation before leaving home. Find the nearest representation at: www.mwanza-guide.com/traveler.htm
	Travellers' diarrhoea is a clinical syndrome resulting from microbial contamination of ingested food and water; it occurs during or shortly after travel, most commonly affecting persons travelling from an area of more highly developed hygiene and sanitation infrastructure to a less developed one like Tanzania. Diarrhoea is the most common travel-related illness. Avoid tap water, un-pasteurised milk, ice-cubes in drinks, fresh vegetables and fruits (of not cooked or peeled). Be selective when taking food from street vendors - it has to be cooked seriously all the way through. Seek medical attention if the diarrhoea last for more than two - three days, are extreme painful and self treatment isn’t working. Eat (mashed) bananas and drink plenty of fluids - e.g. Coca Cola.
	Malaria is a serious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Malaria can often be prevented by using anti-malarial drugs and by using personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites. However, in spite of all protective measures, travellers may still develop malaria. Malaria symptoms will occur at least seven to nine days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, any fever should be promptly evaluated. Travellers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while travelling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and should tell the physician their travel. There are several types of anti-malarial drugs. Discuss the best one for you with your doctor before leaving home. Unfortunately most people will have to use some kind of medication as malaria-prevention. Through history, various combined preventions have been taken in use – from the stuff kinin, extracted from Oak-bark, to the popular and active combination of Klorokin- and Paludrine tablets. But along the times the mosquitoes have developed quite a resistant immune system to these combinations, thus no longer sufficient. The three most prescribed malaria-preventions to day are: Doxycyklin(Vibradox), Lariam® and Malarone. None are without small physical as well as some economical side effects. But Lariam has also proved to have severe negative psychological side effects – why it is strongly recommended to think about taken this drug at all. Malarone is effective, but somewhat expensive - why many travellers choose Doxycyklin(Vibradox) in the end - as their favourite protection against malaria. Always bring the anti-malarial drugs with you from home. Most anti-malaria drugs are sold Mwanza without prescription from a medical doctor - also halofantrine better known as HALFAN. DON’T ever use this drug without your family doctor’s recommendation. In rare cases, halofantrine may affect the heart, causing irregular heartbeats that could result in death. Do not take halofantrine if you have a heart condition such as an irregular heartbeats or a history of irregular heartbeats; a history of prolonged QT intervals; a family history of congenital long QT syndrome; heart block or other conduction disturbances; or unexplained episodes of fainting. These conditions may increase the risk of irregular heartbeats and death while taking halofantrine.	To the top
	Typhoid fever is an acute, life-threatening febrile illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. The disease is characterized by fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, splenomegaly, and a relative bradycardia. Many mild and atypical infections occur. Typhoid vaccination is not required for international travel, but it is recommended for travellers to areas where there is a recognized risk of exposure to Salmonella typhi. Vaccination is particularly recommended for those who will be travelling in smaller cities, villages, and rural areas off the usual tourist itineraries. Travellers should be cautioned that typhoid vaccination is not 100% effective and is not a substitute for careful selection of food and drink. There is more than one type of protection against typhoid fever. Discuss the best one for you with your doctor before leaving home. It is recommended to be protected before entering Tanzania.	To the top
	Hepatitis A: An inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. The disease is transmitted by contaminated food or water, or contact with a person ill with Hepatitis A. The Hepatitis A virus is shed in the stools of an infected person during the incubation period of 15 to 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness. Blood and secretions may also be infectious. The virus does not remain in the body after the infection has resolved, and there is no carrier state (a person who spreads the disease to others but does not become ill). The symptoms associated with Hepatitis A are similar to the flu, but the skin and the eyes may become yellow (jaundice) because the liver is not able to filter bilirubin from the blood. Transmission of the virus can be reduced by avoiding unclean food and water, thorough hand washing after using the restroom, and thorough cleansing if there is any contact with an affected person's blood, feces), or any body fluid. There is more than one type of protection against Hepatis A. Discuss the best one for you with your doctor before leaving home. It is recommended to be protected before entering Tanzania. To the top ) Human stools.	To the top
	Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by toxigenic Vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild and self-limited or sub clinical. People with severe cases respond dramatically to simple fluid- and electrolyte-replacement therapy. Infection is acquired primarily by ingesting contaminated water or food; person-to-person transmission is rare. The vaccine against cholera gives poor protection, many side effects, so it’s not recommended for travellers. People who follow usual tourist itineraries and who observe food safety recommendations while in countries reporting cholera have virtually no risk. Risk increases for those who drink untreated water or ingest poorly cooked or raw seafood in endemic areas Information from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (CDC): Currently, no country or territory requires vaccination as a condition for entry. Local authorities, however, may continue to require documentation of vaccination against cholera. In such cases, a single dose of either oral vaccine is sufficient to satisfy local requirements, or a medical waiver may be given.	To the top
	Other (not especially travel related) deceases:
	Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the toxin-producing bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It usually affects the respiratory tract (primarily the larynx, tonsils, and throat). But it can also affect the skin, and the toxin produced by this bacterium can damage the nerves and heart. Diphtheria is found only in humans and is usually transmitted by respiratory droplets from infected persons or a symptomatic carrier, but can be transmitted by contaminated objects or foods (such as contaminated milk). The incubation period is 2 to 5 days.	To the top
	Tetanus is an acute disease caused by the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium tetani that affects the central nervous system, sometimes resulting in death. Spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani live in the soil and are distributed worldwide. In the spore form, Clostridium tetani may remain dormant in the soil, but can be infectious for periods longer than 40 years. The disease is characterized by painful muscular contractions. Vaccination for diphtheria and tetanus are usually combined and are recommended for everyone, and boosters are necessary very ten years. Consult your family doctor before leaving home.	To the top
	AIDS is a serious disease, first recognized as a distinct syndrome in 1981. This syndrome represents the late clinical state of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in progressive damage to the immune system and in life-threatening infectious and non-infectious complications. AIDS and HIV infection occur worldwide. Comprehensive surveillance systems are lacking in many countries, so the true number of cases is likely to be far greater than the numbers officially reported, particularly from developing nations. No vaccine is available to prevent infection with HIV and NO cure for the disease. Transmission of the virus occurs: 1. Through sexual contact - including oral-, vaginal-, and anal sex. 2. Through blood - via blood transfusions or needle sharing. 3. From mother to child - a pregnant woman can passively transmit the virus to her fetus, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby. Travellers should be advised that HIV infection is preventable. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact; air, food, or water routes; contact with inanimate objects; mosquitoes or other arthropod vectors. Prevention of AIDS requires foresight and self-discipline. The requirements often seem personally restrictive, but they are effective and can save your life. "Safe sex" practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.	To the top
	Bilharzia: Note that Lake Victoria is riddled with Bilharzia, so avoid swimming or walking barefoot through the grass along its shores, as this is where the parasite-hosting snails lurk.	To the top
	Recommended search forums: Yellow fever (and malaria): http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh5-MalariaYellowFeverTable-Tanzania.aspx Malaria: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Malaria.aspx Typhoid fever: www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/typhoid.htm Hepatitis A: www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/hav.htm About safe sex: health.yahoo.com/health/encyclopedia/001949/0.html General: www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm Anti-malaria drug Halfan: vfend.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageID_0/htm_d04842A1.htm/bn_Halfan/qx/index.htm	To the top

Yellow fever	Malaria	Typhoid fever
Hepatitis A	Cholera	Diphtheria
Tetanus	AIDS and HIV	Links
Diarrhoea