What You Need To Know About Healthcare In Kenya

Malaria can be a deadly disease. Two different types of malaria occur in Africa; Malaria Tropica and Malaria Vitax. Malaria is transmitted by the mosquito that has the malaria parasite living in its sting. When bitten, this parasite enters your body and attaches itself in your liver (Malaria Vitax) or in your bloodstream (Malaria Tropica). After a few days to weeks or even months, this parasite that has multiplied in the meantime bursts open spreads through your body at lightning speed.
The patient feels sick, flu-like and has a fever. If left untreated, you can die in a few days. There are malaria tests that can tell you in minutes whether you are carrying this nasty parasite. Coartem will then be prescribed, making it very likely that the disease will be over in a few days.

The key is to avoid contracting malaria. Get informed (but do not be frightened) at the tropical clinics in the Netherlands. People in the tropics usually know more about the medical risks in their place of residence than the homebodies sitting behind their desks in the Netherlands.

Quite a few myths circulate about malaria. The most persistent of which is that if you take preventive Malaria medication and unexpectedly contract Malaria (which is possible), the disease is difficult or impossible to treat. Bullshit! Malaria is just as treatable if you did take Malarone Prophylaxis. Also, drinking quinine (tonic) is not an effective means of keeping malaria mosquitoes at bay.

If you are pregnant, it is better not to travel to areas with malaria, as any infection will increase the chances of a lower birth weight or premature birth. Children can take Malarone Prophylaxis (a preventive malaria drug) from 5 kilos onwards. Further, wear covering clothes after sunset, spray with Deet and sleep under a mosquito net. Spray your room with Doom during dusk a few hours before you go to sleep.

Here in Kenya, despite the Dutch predominantly red-coloured maps you see at travel clinics, there are large areas that are malaria-free. From Mombasa to Tanzania, malaria is common. So swallowing Malarone prophylaxis is recommended here. In western Kenya, especially in Kisumu and around Lake Victoria, there is also a higher risk of malaria. Malarone Prophylaxis is highly recommended here!Above 1,500 metres, malaria is almost non-existent. So in Nairobi, Naivasha, Nakuru and Aberdares you are relatively safe from these vicious critters and their nasty disease.