African Diseases

First off, I have not contracted any strange disease, but there are many here that one can get. About 2 weeks ago, my right arm started to itch. It got a little puffy and red. It was circular with two "fang" marks on the one side. I thought it was a spider bite. After about a week, the "fang" marks went away and it was just a red, puffy ring. I went to the chemist and asked them what they thought it was. It is ringworm. No, it is not caused by a worm; it is a fungal infection. Looking back, my pastor's gardener's son had ringworm on his head. Although the gardener, after I touched the boy's head, said that the chemist said that adults do not get that kind of ringworm, I am quite sure that I got it from him. It did not spread elsewhere on my body, but it could. This was my first time getting this, and I pray my last. It is contagious from skin contact and could even be spread from flakes of the infected area. On another note, other types of real worms are common here. A friend of mine here was infected with worms. He told me that he could feel them. Yuck! At the chemist, you can get a "de-wormer" that supposedly kills any worms in you. It is recommended that you de-worm yourself at least 2 times a year. These types of worms are spread through undercooked food, especially if you eat at a place with unsanitary conditions. Oh, the joys of Africa!