Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe visit ...
Disease Low-Down
AIDS
There is no known cure to date for AIDS. The AIDS virus (HIV) is spread through sexual contact, contact with infected bloods, saliva and dirty, unsterilised needles. It is estimated that there are over one million people in Kenya who may be HIV positive.
Blood donations are rarely screened in Kenya, so the risks of infection are high. Purchase your own sterile medical kit, and keep it with you on all journeys in order to avoid the use of dirty needles.
There is no known cure to date for AIDS. The AIDS virus (HIV) is spread through sexual contact, contact with infected bloods, saliva and dirty, unsterilised needles. It is estimated that there are over one million people in Kenya who may be HIV positive.
Blood donations are rarely screened in Kenya, so the risks of infection are high. Purchase your own sterile medical kit, and keep it with you on all journeys in order to avoid the use of dirty needles.
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY TIPS
- Insist that any procedure involving skin puncture - injections, transfusions, stitching, dental anaesthetic, etc., is only carried out by qualified people using sterile equipment - or take your own emergency pack.
- Should you need a transfusion, try to ascertain that the blood has been screened for AIDS and the Hepatitis B virus antibodies. Ask an official from the Consul or Embassy, or a friend to find out for you.
- If in doubt, ask that an expatriate donor is found for you.
- Know your blood group.
Cholera
Cholera is an acute infectious epidemic bacterial disease. It is characterised by watery diarrhoea, vomiting, acute dehydration, cramps, suppression of urine and collapse. I is essential to pay attention to food and water hygiene as the bacteria survives in both ice and salt water. Shellfish are a common source, and it is advisable to avoid under-cooked or raw seafood.
Cholera is an acute infectious epidemic bacterial disease. It is characterised by watery diarrhoea, vomiting, acute dehydration, cramps, suppression of urine and collapse. I is essential to pay attention to food and water hygiene as the bacteria survives in both ice and salt water. Shellfish are a common source, and it is advisable to avoid under-cooked or raw seafood.
Dengue Fever
Dengue and Dengue Haemorraghic Fever are the most important and rapidly increasing arbovirus infections in the world. Found in 100 countries, it causes half-a-million hospitalisations and thousands of deaths each year, causing symptoms reminiscent of Ebola virus infection - bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums, excessive thirst and difficulty in breathing.
Two fifths of the world's population is at risk, and out of the tens of millions of cases per year, 95% are children!
Dengue and Dengue Haemorraghic Fever are the most important and rapidly increasing arbovirus infections in the world. Found in 100 countries, it causes half-a-million hospitalisations and thousands of deaths each year, causing symptoms reminiscent of Ebola virus infection - bleeding from the nose, mouth and gums, excessive thirst and difficulty in breathing.
Two fifths of the world's population is at risk, and out of the tens of millions of cases per year, 95% are children!
Elephantiasis
Major efforts to control this disease involve reducing the number of infected individuals as well as the number of mosquitoes which can transmit the disease. Unfortunately, sometimes the control of tropical disease is manifested by two steps forward, one step back - the building of vast number of latrines to promote public health and prevent many illnesses has provided breeding sites for the culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, the common carrier of the disease.
Any part of the body may be affected, but most commonly the leg or the foot. Elephantiasis is a syndrome of 'lymphedema' caused by the congestion of lymphatic channels by parasite worms. The lymphatic channels drain extra fluid back into the circulation through lymph nodes, which filter out bacteria and, if the channels get permanently blocked, the build-up of fluid will cause a firm, tense swelling in the tissue called 'lymphedema'. Elephantiasis rarely regresses, even with treatment to kill the parasite.
Major efforts to control this disease involve reducing the number of infected individuals as well as the number of mosquitoes which can transmit the disease. Unfortunately, sometimes the control of tropical disease is manifested by two steps forward, one step back - the building of vast number of latrines to promote public health and prevent many illnesses has provided breeding sites for the culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, the common carrier of the disease.
Any part of the body may be affected, but most commonly the leg or the foot. Elephantiasis is a syndrome of 'lymphedema' caused by the congestion of lymphatic channels by parasite worms. The lymphatic channels drain extra fluid back into the circulation through lymph nodes, which filter out bacteria and, if the channels get permanently blocked, the build-up of fluid will cause a firm, tense swelling in the tissue called 'lymphedema'. Elephantiasis rarely regresses, even with treatment to kill the parasite.
Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, due to infection or toxins. Characterised by fever, weakness and jaundice, the disease is avoided by drinking boiled or bottled water, and washing hands frequently in uncontaminated water.
Hepatitis A - Infectious Hepatitis - is very contagious and can be contracted from:
The symptoms appear from 15-50 days after infection and most commonly around 25 days. The characteristics are fever, loss of appetite, nausea, lack of energy, depression and pains around the base of the rib cage. The skin turns yellow and the whites of the eyes turn yellow to orange. The urine also becomes deep orange and will remain so no matter how much liquid is taken. The disease can last several weeks. This may be the time to utilise your medical insurance, and go home.
If you have had hepatitis in the past, or have shown to have antibodies already in your blood, the vaccination will not be required.
Hepatitis B - Serum Hepatitis
There is no cure, but rest and good food. It is estimated that as many as 10% of the Third World are healthy carriers of Hepatitis B, which is most commonly transmitted from person to person by contact with infected blood - but the virus is also present in saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, sweat and tears.
Hepatitis B is about 100 times more infections than the AIDS visas! It attacks the liver and can result in flue-like symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting and jaundice and this may persist for several weeks or months. Some people never recover from Hepatitis B, and the virus can go on to cause liver failure and cancer. Some people experience no symptoms and never become aware of their disease and may unknowingly infect others.
Common in Africa, Hepatitis B is a particular risk to babies and young children. Adults who work in a high risk environment, or who may come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, are also at risk - something as simple as playing a contact sport!
The treatment necessary to make the disease more bearable, involve:
Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, due to infection or toxins. Characterised by fever, weakness and jaundice, the disease is avoided by drinking boiled or bottled water, and washing hands frequently in uncontaminated water.
Hepatitis A - Infectious Hepatitis - is very contagious and can be contracted from:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Eating salads and other foods that are washed and not cooked
The symptoms appear from 15-50 days after infection and most commonly around 25 days. The characteristics are fever, loss of appetite, nausea, lack of energy, depression and pains around the base of the rib cage. The skin turns yellow and the whites of the eyes turn yellow to orange. The urine also becomes deep orange and will remain so no matter how much liquid is taken. The disease can last several weeks. This may be the time to utilise your medical insurance, and go home.
If you have had hepatitis in the past, or have shown to have antibodies already in your blood, the vaccination will not be required.
Hepatitis B - Serum Hepatitis
There is no cure, but rest and good food. It is estimated that as many as 10% of the Third World are healthy carriers of Hepatitis B, which is most commonly transmitted from person to person by contact with infected blood - but the virus is also present in saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, sweat and tears.
Hepatitis B is about 100 times more infections than the AIDS visas! It attacks the liver and can result in flue-like symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting and jaundice and this may persist for several weeks or months. Some people never recover from Hepatitis B, and the virus can go on to cause liver failure and cancer. Some people experience no symptoms and never become aware of their disease and may unknowingly infect others.
Common in Africa, Hepatitis B is a particular risk to babies and young children. Adults who work in a high risk environment, or who may come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, are also at risk - something as simple as playing a contact sport!
The treatment necessary to make the disease more bearable, involve:
- No smoking
- No drinking
- Low fat
- Plenty of Vitamin B
MALARIA - Dealt with separately - click here ...
MENINGITIS A and C
Meningitis is an inflammation of the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Contracted by inhaling contaminated droplets or particles shed by an infected person. It would be appropriate to avoid crowded areas. A vaccination is recommended for Kenya.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Contracted by inhaling contaminated droplets or particles shed by an infected person. It would be appropriate to avoid crowded areas. A vaccination is recommended for Kenya.
POLIOMYELITIS
Polio is an infectious viral disease occurring mainly in children. It can attack the central nervous system, affecting muscle functions and causing paralysis, muscular atrophy and often deformity. Contracted through eating foods and drinking water contaminated with the virus, it is advisable to take care of personal hygiene.
Polio is an infectious viral disease occurring mainly in children. It can attack the central nervous system, affecting muscle functions and causing paralysis, muscular atrophy and often deformity. Contracted through eating foods and drinking water contaminated with the virus, it is advisable to take care of personal hygiene.
RABIES
Rabies is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted to man by a bite from a rabid animal, or by contamination of wounds with the saliva of the infectious animal. The name Rabies from from the Latin meaning 'madness'.
If you have been bitten or licked by an animal you believe to have been infected with Rabies:
Rabies is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted to man by a bite from a rabid animal, or by contamination of wounds with the saliva of the infectious animal. The name Rabies from from the Latin meaning 'madness'.
If you have been bitten or licked by an animal you believe to have been infected with Rabies:
- Thoroughly cleanse the wound with soap and water. Allow the wound to bleed a little and apply alcohol.
- Do not stitch the wound.
- Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention ... and you can anticipate a course of six injections.
SCHISOSOMIASIS or BILHARZIA
Exposure to infected fresh water ponds and lakes. Contracted via a parasitic worm from fresh water snails attacking exposed skin, it is recommended not to swim in, or drink from fresh water ponds or lakes.
Exposure to infected fresh water ponds and lakes. Contracted via a parasitic worm from fresh water snails attacking exposed skin, it is recommended not to swim in, or drink from fresh water ponds or lakes.
TETANUS
Tetanus, also called 'lockjaw', is an acute and often fatal infectious disease caused by the clostridium tetani bacillus entering the body through cuts abrasions and pinprick wounds. The disease is characterised by rigidity and spasmodic contractions of the voluntary muscles.
Because this disease is world-wide, it is essential to be immunised and advisable to carry a first aid kit containing cleaning materials and wound dressings.
Tetanus, also called 'lockjaw', is an acute and often fatal infectious disease caused by the clostridium tetani bacillus entering the body through cuts abrasions and pinprick wounds. The disease is characterised by rigidity and spasmodic contractions of the voluntary muscles.
Because this disease is world-wide, it is essential to be immunised and advisable to carry a first aid kit containing cleaning materials and wound dressings.
TYPHOID
Typhoid, also called Enteric Fever, is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by the salmonella typhi bacillus and transmitted by contaminated food, particularly poultry, cold meats and water. It is characterised by red rashes, high fever, weakness and, in severe cases, intestinal haemorrhaging.
Typhoid, also called Enteric Fever, is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by the salmonella typhi bacillus and transmitted by contaminated food, particularly poultry, cold meats and water. It is characterised by red rashes, high fever, weakness and, in severe cases, intestinal haemorrhaging.
WATER
It cannot be stressed strongly enough how important it is to drink only boiled or bottled water. In many areas of Africa, there is no sanitation and the sewage simply drains through the soil into the water system, especially around the coast.
Many diseases are caught by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria. Boil or sterilise water before use. Use bottled or boiled water for cleaning teeth and making ice cubes. Avoid ice cubes from any source you are unsure of, and avoid uncooked foods. Remember salads may be washed with untreated water, which might well be unclean. Also avoid un-pasterised milk.
It cannot be stressed strongly enough how important it is to drink only boiled or bottled water. In many areas of Africa, there is no sanitation and the sewage simply drains through the soil into the water system, especially around the coast.
Many diseases are caught by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria. Boil or sterilise water before use. Use bottled or boiled water for cleaning teeth and making ice cubes. Avoid ice cubes from any source you are unsure of, and avoid uncooked foods. Remember salads may be washed with untreated water, which might well be unclean. Also avoid un-pasterised milk.
YELLOW FEVER
Yellow Fever, also known as 'Yellow Jack', is an acute infectious viral disease of the subtropical and tropical areas. The virus is transmitted by a mosquito of the Aedes genus which is also responsible for Dengue Fever. Aedes comes from the Greek work meaning 'unpleasant'.
The characters are jaundice, dark-coloured vomit resulting from haemorrhages leading on to kidney failure.
Yellow Fever, also known as 'Yellow Jack', is an acute infectious viral disease of the subtropical and tropical areas. The virus is transmitted by a mosquito of the Aedes genus which is also responsible for Dengue Fever. Aedes comes from the Greek work meaning 'unpleasant'.
The characters are jaundice, dark-coloured vomit resulting from haemorrhages leading on to kidney failure.