Tanzania Health

Health

Health As in most African countries, the AIDS/HIV infection rate is high. Tanzania's HIV/AIDS infection rate was 9% at the end of 2003 UNAIDS. This figure is deceiving, however, since many subpopulations such as artisanal miners, itinerant fisherman, truck drivers and sex workers, have HIV infection rates significantly higher than the national average. Do not have unprotected sex in Tanzania or anywhere. Other major illnesses to avoid include malaria, typhoid and cholera. Malaria is the most common and widespread. Sleep under a treated net, wear trousers and closed footwear, and use an effective repellent. In theory, typhoid can be avoided by carefully selecting food and drink, and avoiding consumption of anything unclean. Typhoid infection, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is marked by 'persistent, high fevers...headache, malaise, anorexia, splenomegaly, and relative bradycardia.' Cholera infection is marked by vomiting and sudden, uncontrollable bowel movements which can dehydrate and ultimately kill the sufferer within 48 hours. It is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Cholera is more or less a seasonal phenomenon in Zanzibar, where outbreaks frequently occur during the rainy seasons. Vaccines and/or oral prevention are available for both typhoid and cholera. As always, avoid succumbing to gastrointestinal distress by washing fruit and vegetables before eating them. Do not eat street food or restaurant food that appears to have been left in the open air for extended periods of time. Boil water and eat freshly fried or steamed food. Degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, Rift Valley fever and plague are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004) Safety Be very careful driving. Some 90% of all accidents involve drunk drivers.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]