HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

Nothing can spoil a holiday more than feeling off-colour, and nothing can dull the pleasure of your holiday memories more than getting ill far from home. There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of, particularly if you are from the northern hemisphere.  However, there are risks anywhere.

Inoculations

If you are an adult, you will not need any inoculations unless you are travelling from a yellow-fever endemic area (the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America), in which case you will need certification to prove your inoculation status when you arrive in Southern Africa.

It is recommended that you have the required inoculations four to six weeks before you travel to Southern Africa (a yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation - after which it remains valid for 10 years).

Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants. Booster doses for tetanus and measles can also be administered.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in cities and larger towns are world-class, but you will find that in rural areas the clinics and hospitals deal with primary health needs, and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropolitan hospitals do. Trained medical caregivers are deployed round the country, so help is never far away.

The sun

We have a warm sunny climate and sunscreen and a hat are recommended whenever you are out doors during the day, particularly between 10:00 and 16:00, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not.

Even if you have a dark complexion, you can still get sunburned if you are from a cooler climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended, as the glare of the African sun can be strong.

HIV/Aids

As in other countries, always take precautions when having sex. Southern Africa and South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world.

Other health issues

Bilharzia can be a problem in some of the east-flowing rivers, but it is easily detected and treated if it is caught early. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a routine test a month or two after you get home - just to reassure yourself.

Ticks generally come out in the early spring and may carry tick-bite fever, which is easily treated. You should also be aware of hepatitis, for which you can be inoculated.