Tourist Gary Peace thought that an African safari would be the trip of a lifetime. But he was still feeling the after-effects months later, after contracting malaria while on his travels. I could have quite easily not have had malaria, if I'd taken my tablets. It's certainly something I wouldn't want to go through again - it is quite a painful experience.
Malaria is one of the more common diseases which can be contracted in many tropical countries.
It is caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes, which is passed into the bloodstream of humans when they are bitten. There are two types of parasite - one, found in certain countries, causes a milder form of the disease. However, the other type of malaria can kill quickly if medical attention is not given. And many tourists are advised to cover up as much as possible to reduce the chance of bites. There are two forms of hepatitis which pose a threat to the unprepared traveller.