Malaria

Preparing for the honeymoon, we've had all the basic vaccinations recommended; the nurse never mentioned the pre-rabies course, and perhaps we should have thought of that. But it's all very unlikely to be an issue. Malaria, however, is a different matter.

Not that there's much of it recorded on our route, it's just present to the extent that you must take your anti-malarials. The nurse who jabbed us up suggested we get them over the counter, so I went to Boots only to be told that for where we are going we need prescription medicine. Q much faffing trying to reach the nurse while learning that certain pharmacies have licences as travel clinics, and can sell prescription anti-malarials without the need for said prescription. The nurse suggested we try this, so as to save £10 or £20 on prescription charges, and on paying for the tablets I found out why. £35 a packet! £70 to cover us both for the honeymoon, starting two days before and ending 7 days after. It is the most expensive version admittedly, but unlike the cheaper ones it doesn't have a strange reaction to sunlight. ('Will you be sunbathing?' Asked the pharmacist, 'No,' I replied, 'But we will be in the sun.' I resisted the urge to add 'What with it being dry season and tropical Africa...') He nodded, talked about his days in Gaberone and assured me it would be wonderful.

So we have this eye-wateringly expensive medication, but I am still thinking about how to stop insect bites. We have sprays with at least 50% deet, the company supplies bed nets, but I am thinking of taking extra precautions and investing in bug sprays, permethrin rinse for our clothes beforehand, hydro-cortisone and maybe something to burn outside the tent.  Maybe I am over-reacting, but the last time I was in Cairo I got bitten 43 times on my face alone, including twice on each eyelid. To a mosquito I am the ultimate moveable feast.