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HEALTH PRECAUTIONS & VACCINATIONS.

Altitude sickness, the mildest form being acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high attitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headache, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.

Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) with associated shortness of breath or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) with associated confusion. Chronic mountain sickness may occur after long term exposure to high altitude.

Altitude sickness typically occurs only above 2,500 meters (8,000 ft.), though some are affected at lower altitudes.

Symptoms of altitude sickness.

Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 2,500m above sea level.

• Headache
• Feeling and being sick
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath

The symptoms are usually worse at night.

Altitude sickness does not only affect mountain climbers. Tourists travelling to cities that are 2,500m above sea level or higher, such as La Paz in Bolivia or Bogotá in Colombia, can also get altitude sickness.

It's not possible to get altitude sickness in the UK because the highest mountain, Ben Nevis in Scotland, is only 1,345m.

Preventing altitude sickness.

The best way to prevent getting altitude sickness is to travel to altitudes above 2,500m slowly.

It usually takes a few days for your body to get used to a change in altitude.

You should also:

• Avoid flying directly to areas of high altitude, if possible
• Take 2 to 3 days to get used to high altitudes before going above 2,500m
• Avoid climbing more than 300m to 500m a day
• Have a rest day every 600m to 900m you go up, or rest every 3 to 4 days
• Make sure you're drinking enough water
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours
• Eat a light but high-calorie diet

Recommended Medications.

• Consider travelling with these medicines for altitude sickness:
• Acetazolamide to prevent and treat high-altitude sickness
• Ibuprofen and paracetamol for headaches
• Anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine, for nausea
• In the UK, acetazolamide is not licensed to treat altitude sickness. But it's available from most travel clinics and some GPs may prescribe it.
• Promethazine is available from pharmacies. You do not need a prescription to buy it.
• Begin taking acetazolamide 1 to 2 days before you start to go up in altitude and continue to take it while going up.
• You should still go up gradually and follow the prevention advice, including taking time to acclimatize, having regular rest days and drinking plenty of water.
• If you get symptoms of altitude sickness while taking acetazolamide, rest or go down until you feel better before going up again.

Treating altitude sickness

If you think you have altitude sickness:

• Stop and rest where you are
• Do not go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours
• If you have a headache, take ibuprofen or paracetamol
• If you feel sick, take an anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine
• Make sure you're drinking enough water
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or exercise
• Acetazolamide can be used to reduce the severity of your symptoms, but it will not completely get rid of them.
• Tell your travel companions how you feel, even if your symptoms are mild – there's a danger your judgment may not be clear.
• You can continue going up with care once you feel you have fully recovered.
• If you do not feel any better after 24 hours, go down by at least 500m (about 1,600 feet).
• Do not attempt to climb again until your symptoms have completely disappeared.
• After 2 to 3 days, your body should have adjusted to the altitude and your symptoms should disappear.
• See a doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.

HIGH ALTITUDE CEREBRAL OEDEMA (HACE)

High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is swelling of the brain caused by a lack of oxygen.

Symptoms of HACE include:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Feeling and being sick
• Loss of coordination
• Feeling confused
•  Hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not there)

A person with HACE will often not realize they're ill. They may insist they're OK and want to be left alone.

HACE can develop quickly over a few hours. It can be fatal if it's not treated immediately.

Treating HACE:

• Move down to a lower altitude immediately
• Take dexamethasone
• Give bottled oxygen, if available
• Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that reduces swelling of the brain. It's often carried by professional mountain climbers as part of their medical supplies.
• If you cannot go down immediately, dexamethasone can help relieve symptoms until it's safe to do so.
• You should go to hospital as soon as possible for follow-up treatment.

HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY OEDEMA (HAPE)

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

Symptoms of HAPE:

• Blue tinge to the skin or lips
• Breathing difficulties, even when resting
• Tightness in the chest
• A persistent cough, bringing up pink or white frothy liquid (sputum)
• Tiredness and weakness

The symptoms of HAPE can start to appear a few days after arrival at high altitude. It can be fatal if it's not treated immediately.

Treating HAPE:

• Move down to a lower altitude immediately
• Take nifedipine bottled oxygen, if available
• Nifedipine is a medicine that helps to reduce chest tightness and make breathing easier. It's also often part of an expedition's medical supplies
• Ps: You should talk to your doctor about altitude sickness as soon as possible before travel.

VISA PROCESS IN TANZANIA

You can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). You are required to fill in the online form, make payment, and submit your application online. Your form will be internally reviewed and processed.

You will be notified through their e-mails whether their applications have been accepted or rejected. You may also TRACK your application statuses through the online system. In some cases you may as well be required to visit the nearest Tanzanian Embassies or Consular Offices for interviews.

Season Master Adventures strongly advice to secure a Tanzania Visa in advance, to avoid any additional cost nevertheless time consuming, on the arrival day at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Please note it take up to 3 weeks for one to be issued with Tanzania Visa.

Please secure and apply for a Tanzania Visa Online through: www.immigration.go.tz

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