Malaria II

Last year at this time -- the first full week of classes -- I was diagnosed with malaria. It began with vertigo and progressed to achy joints, a headache, etc. For the past few days I have not felt well. The symptoms just described haven't been present but I have experienced extreme lethargy and a general feeling of, well, ickiness. Yesterday I also developed a skin infection, so off to the doctor I went.

My doctor is a Benedictine monk who practices at a small Catholic hospital just north of Dodoma. I was surprised that he was not so concerned about the skin infection, but he sent me immediately to the laboratory for tests for a number of things.

Yep. I have malaria. I'm also hosting some parasite. Both easily treated -- but I've been put on 3-days bed rest, too, which isn't so easy for me. I'm staying in bed today, but I'll try to venture for a few hours to my office tomorrow -- if only to save me back.

I always feel like a baby when I get sick here. Most folks just charge on. As a friend in Morogoro once told me, "Sickness is a big part of our life here." One of the few parts I'm not ready to embrace.