Mwanza Warnings Or Dangers

It can't come as a surprise that this region is an endemic malaria region. Lying by the lake it's superb breeding ground for mosquitoes and there's a good chance you'll catch malaria if you stay for more than a couple of months. I'm sure you know this already and have brought the right medication and profylaxis - if not, you can buy it in any duka all over Tanzania. Don't mean to break your spirits, but you will probably get malaria anyway. I did, and I was on Malarone, so use mosquito net and insect repellant - it's actually the best protection.

The mosquito carrying falciparum (brain malaria) is common in the area, so seek treatment the minute you start feeling any symptoms (fever, head ache, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, aching joints etc.). Don't be too worried, though. If you do get malaria, Tanzania is probably the best place to go for treatment, as they see this every day and know exactly how to handle it. My best advice is to go straight to one of the private hospitals (DON'T go to Bugando Hospital, it'll take forever) and have a blood slide done. In a matter of minutes you will know if you have malaria or not, and get the proper treatment immediately. Don't expect to be hospitalized - that's only if you have a very serious case. If you discover it in time, you should be just fine.

The private hospital I used to go to, and which is one of the best in town (also has a European doctor) is Amaini Clinic which lies on the right hand side of the road leading down to U-turn. Otherwise, go to Aga Khan Hospital or Hindu Union Hospital.

At Amaini they will tend to give you Arinate, which is a very good treatment with very few side effects. It is what I always used when I had malaria. Otherwise, it is Fansidar, which is also very effecient but you can experience some heavy side effects. For younger children it is usually chloroquine. Remember to take a follow up blood slide when the treatment dose is finished. A blood slide typically costs 1000 sh in Mwanza.