Jack has Malaria

Well, just when we thought we would get away unscathed..Jack gets sick. It started yesterday with fever and back ache and headache..then vomitting and diarrhea. We had a blood smear done today and saw a doctor and his parasite load is quite high. He is now on treatment and seems better as the day is progressing. The whole family is getting tested today as we have all lived in the same house and Jack is also on malaria prophylaxis, which should have already decreased his risk, but, we are in an endemic area especially now that it is rainy season. We may as well be sure that none of us has it. We leave on Friday for a 5 day safari in the Serengeti and into two national parks in Kenya (Masai Mara and Amboseli) This is a major treat to ourselves for our hard work!. I want everyone to be healthy for the trip, especially since we'll be far from medical aid.

Jack is actually quite proud of himself and has already told two friends and the lady who served us coffee in the coffee shop this morning! He kept the lab sheet showing the positive test so he can paste it into his journal. The lady in the lab also let Roman and I have a look at those pesky parasites under the microscope...very fulfilling for the doctor in me but disconcerting to know it was my son's blood film!
I'll update you all later regarding the rest of the family's test results, including Roman's mom's (who already feels like we are trying to kill her by suggesting that she come to Africa for 2 months!).