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| Malaria | Cholera | HIV / Aids | Insurance |
| Malaria | |
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| Despite looking forward to your holidays - malaria has to be taken seriously. | |
| This is one of the greatest killers in Africa. The symptoms usually occur between one and six weeks after being bitten, and include any of the following: fever, possibly interspersed with chills, headaches, aches and pains, diarrhoea, nausea and dizziness. In other words a lot like flu, but much worse. | |
| It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical climatic zones. The only way you can be sure of not contracting this deadly disease is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. In endemic areas use mosquito repellent, always sleep under a net or in a mosquito proof room or tent, wear a light coloured long-sleeved shirt, long pants and shoes and socks between dusk and dawn. | |
| There is much debate as to the effectiveness of oral malaria prophylactics. A number of preparations are available on the market and it is best to get keep up to date with what is available as the drug of choice in one area may not be as effective in another. | |
| There are no easy solutions to the malaria problem (except, of course, for not getting bitten), so consult a knowledgeable health practitioner who you trust, before making a decision! | |
| Cholera | |
| Vaccinations against cholera are at times required (not for South Africa). | |
| In general, the risk of the average tourist contracting cholera is extremely small. Cholera is a disease of unclean water and poor sewerage, typically to residents of squatter camps or rural areas. | |
| Cholera is not transmitted from person to person- infection occurs with the ingestion of faecally contaminated food and water. Observe good food and water hygiene while travelling in the affected areas, and your risk of contracting cholera is negligible. | |
| Rivers, lakes and dams in affected areas should be regarded as potentially contaminated by bacteria. They pose no risk to visitors unless direct contact is made with the water. In effected areas, do not swim in any water other than chlorinated swimming pool water, or clear seawater. | |
| Only travellers likely to be exposed to potentially contaminated water need consider immunisation against cholera. An oral vaccine is available for high risk travellers. | |
| HIV/Aids | |
| Every precaution should be taken against HIV/Aids. Practice safe sex by using condoms. These are readily available from hospitals, clinics, chemists and supermarkets. | |
| Insurance | |
| There are no national health schemes and patients are responsible for their own medical bills. It is thus advisable to obtain travel insurance to cover such costs. | |
| For more information visit the SAA Travel Clinic Website http://www.travelclinic.co.za | |
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