Malaria the fourth…..

Woke up feeling tired and weak today, have a headache and am feeling hot. Yesterday I had bad stomach cramps. Wait these symptoms are familiar…………………. Yep malaria AGAIN!!!! 

Went to the clinic and confirmed diagnosis – given medication and told to rest, not great timing as I head to Abuja tomorrow for the VSO Leavers Forum. 

I am fed up with malaria now – I’ll be at the front of the queue when the vaccine is made available!! Malaria is such a huge issue here in Nigeria, people are sick so often and it really is a horrible illness - making you feel weak and not able to think normally. 

I have so much more sympathy now, but what I will say is more needs to be done in terms of prevention and medication to treat. I used to be a bit of a critic and thought if people slept under a net then they would prevent malaria. i'm sure this does reduce instances of malaria, but now as someone who sleeps under a net EVERY night I can say its not the only answer.