Seek advice before you leave. A good place to start is your family doctor, who can advise you on the vaccinations you might need. There are also specialist centres which provide both advice and the vaccinations needed, details can be found in the Yellow Pages. These days the Internet is also a good place to seek information, offering not only expert advice but general and practical tips from other travellers. Try the World Health Organization's website at: www.who.int/en/ the National Health Service in the UK is at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and The Hospital For Tropical Diseases are at: www.thehtd.org
You should allow plenty of time for your vaccinations, up to a year before departure if you can. It is possible to cram everything into a short period but not to recommended. Some vaccinations require two or more shots over a period of time. So even if you have left everything to the last minute do not travel without them. Some vaccinations are compulsory and you must be able to prove that you have had them. You should record all your vaccinations on an "International Certificate of Vaccination" (a health passport).
With this document you can keep track of your immunizations, when they expire, when boosters are required etc. You will also need to show your certificate when entering countries where vaccinations are required, Yellow Fever for example. Remember if you cannot prove that you have had your jabs, you may be rejected from entering the country or asked to have the jabs locally - not to be recommended!
Yellow Fever (Compulsory for most sub-Saharan African countries)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Cholera
Meningitis
Polio, Tetanus & Diphtheria
Typhoid
Measles, Mumps & Rubella adult booster
Rabies - Note: Vaccination against Rabies does not provide immunity, it will give you extra time (24hrs) in which to seek professional help. If you decide to have the Rabies shots it is not a good idea to have them with other injections and it is not recommended to have them while taking anti malaria drugs.
There is a high risk of Malaria in Africa. You should seek professional advice and it is important to list all the countries you intend to visit. Some anti-malaria drugs - Chloroquine & Paludrine for example - are not effective in Africa. Some newer drugs such as Malarone are very effective and have few side effects but can only be taken for a limited period, the recommended maximum is 3 months. Malarone is expensive especially if purchased in the UK. Another option is Lariam, which is effective, is reasonably priced and can be taken for longer periods; however the down side is that it can have a number of side effects. Another anti-malarial drug which is less expensive than Malarone and has less side effects than Lariam is Doxycycline. Another drug which is available in Africa and locally recommended as the best new way of treating Malaria is Arsumax 50mg, it has no side affects and costs only a tenth of the price of Malarone.
What first aid kit you carry will depend on where you are going as well as your personal needs and your ability to use what you take. Carrying first aid equipment that you do not know how to use can be a waste of space and money. These days most doctors in Africa will have to hand the necessary first aid requirements as well as drugs.
Its a good idea to make up two first aid kits, a larger one that will stay in your vehicle and a smaller one that can be carried with you in a day pack.
If it at all possible try to attend a first aid course before you leave. Learn how to set up an intravenous drip for example, intravenous fluids are very useful in stabilising casualties in the event of an accident. Vehicle related accidents are the most common cause of danger for overland travellers. Basic first aid knowledge is essential, and you should know how to use anything you take in your kit.
The following list is a suggestion for a first aid kit:
Savlon, Iodine, & thermometer
Assorted bandages, flexible splint, safety pins and tape.
Assorted wound/ambulance dressings.
Assorted burn sheets & saline solution.
Emergency dental kit, a bottle of Clove oil is good to take along as well.
Face masks and surgical gloves.
Assorted basic wound care packs for dressing wounds.
Large scissors for cutting clothing.
Disposable scalpels, forceps & clamps.
Lots of sterile wipes
Sterile needle/syringe set to cover all eventualities.
Assorted plasters, STERIS trips, Melolin, Primapore & sutures.
If you know how to use it include IV equipment
Giving sets & assorted needles
6x500ml Heamaccel or Gelofusine - for replacing lost blood.
Keep everything that could be classified as a drug in a separate pack. Talk to your doctor who can give you details of what to take, make sure you take into consideration any personal prescription drugs as some drugs don't mix well. Obtain a letter from your doctor listing all of the drugs you are carrying together with suggested doses. Consider the following:
Avomin 25mg - stops nausea
Augmentin 375mg - wide spectrum antibiotic
Ear drops
Eye drops - dust can be a real problem - a good antibiotic drop is worth taking. If you wear hard or soft contact lenses, consider changing to the daily ones, widely available these days, for the duration of your trip. If you have a problem you can change lens easily and cheaply. In addition with daily lenses you wont need lens cleaning fluids, although its a good idea to carry a saline solution with which you can wash your eyes out.
Ibuprofen 400mg - generic painkiller, like Neurophen but its twice as strong and costs a fraction of the price.
Imodium 2mg for the runs!
Piriton 4mg - cheap, safe & simple antihistamine - for itches & mosquito rash etc.
Bactiflox 500mg** - Antibiotic for bacteria in the gut.
Fasigyne 500mg** - Treatment for Guiardia.
Vermox 500mg** - For worms.
You will need to find out how to identify the individual symptoms to use the last three items.
"Remember these notes are provided as a guide only
It is important to seek Professional Medical Advice"