Malaria, dengue fever or just gastrointestinal?

"You can have all the wealth and success in the world, but if you're not healthy, you have nothing." (Steven Adler).

The last few days in Zanzibar were mixed. Madlin wasn't doing so well - she had recurring stomach aches and diarrhea. In the meantime it was fine again and then it started again. On Sunday we had to check out at 11:00 a.m. By 10:30 a.m. Madlin had vomited. She felt particularly bad that day. Since we had to return the car in Stone Town, we drove off anyway - always with the option of not getting on the ferry, toilet paper in our pocket and a bag within easy reach. Even though Madlin was feeling pretty bad, she decided that we would still get on the ferry to go to Dar Es Salaam. Shortly before 6 p.m. the exertion was over and we were in our new Airbnb apartment. Shortly after we arrived, Madlin developed a high temperature.

The next morning, Madlin wasn't feeling any better. She was weak, had building pains and was struggling with nausea. In addition, she hadn't eaten or drunk the day before and didn't want to eat anything at all. In Africa the risk of contracting malaria is very high and for this reason Chris has made the decision that a blood test is needed to rule out malaria and dengue fever. The symptoms did not clearly indicate either tropical disease, but one thing is certain. After three hours in the hospital, two different blood tests, a power outage and two conversations with the doctor, the all-clear came: no tropical disease - we were VERY relieved! Madlin has a severe bacterial infection in his stomach. She now has to take antibiotics and even something to stimulate her appetite.

Luckily she's doing better now. She is still very weak, doesn't eat or drinks much, but every day she's getting a little better. We postponed our road trip by a day because for us, health is true wealth and our top priority.