Health library
Plain answers about African health.
Written for people here, checked against WHO and Africa CDC guidance. Information, not a diagnosis: if you are unwell, find the right doctor.
Malaria · 4 min read
Malaria: the signs, and when to get help fast
Fever, chills and body aches are common in malaria. Learn which symptoms mean you should see a doctor today, not tomorrow.
Children · 4 min
Fever in children: what to do at home and when to worry
Most fevers in children pass on their own. Here is how to keep a child comfortable, and the signs that need a doctor.
Long-term conditions · 5 min
High blood pressure: the condition you cannot feel
Nearly half of adults with high blood pressure in Africa do not know they have it. Checking takes a minute and can prevent a stroke.
Long-term conditions · 5 min
Living well with type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is rising fast across Africa. Everyday habits, regular checks and a doctor you can reach make the difference.
Everyday illness · 4 min
Typhoid: why the test matters and how to avoid it
Typhoid is over-diagnosed from one unreliable blood test and under-prevented. Here is what is actually known.
Women's health · 5 min
A healthy pregnancy: visits, food and danger signs
Eight antenatal contacts, the right supplements, and knowing the warning signs protect you and your baby.
Mental health · 4 min
Stress, anxiety and low mood: when it is more than a hard week
Mental health problems are common and treatable. Talking to a professional is private, and it works.
Long-term conditions · 4 min
Sickle cell disease: daily care and crisis prevention
Nigeria has more people with sickle cell disease than any other country. Good routine care prevents most crises.
Using Telafia · 3 min
What to expect from your first video consultation
How to prepare, what the doctor can and cannot do remotely, and how to get the most from your call.
Everyday illness · 3 min
Diarrhoea: ORS, zinc and the hygiene that prevents it
Diarrhoea is still a leading cause of child deaths in Africa, yet two cheap treatments prevent most of them.
Infections · 5 min
HIV: testing, PrEP and living well
Knowing your status is the first step. Testing is quick and confidential, treatment lets you live a full life, and PrEP can stop you getting HIV.
Infections · 4 min
Hepatitis B: the liver infection most people do not know they have
Hepatitis B is common across Africa and usually silent. A simple blood test, a vaccine and, when needed, daily treatment protect your liver.
Infections · 4 min
Tuberculosis: a cough that will not go away
TB is curable, but only if it is found. A cough for more than two weeks, night sweats and weight loss mean you need a test, not more cough syrup.
Long-term conditions · 4 min
Asthma: staying in control and what to do in an attack
Asthma should not stop anyone living fully. The right inhaler used the right way prevents most attacks, and knowing the danger signs saves lives.
Women's health · 4 min
Periods: what is normal, what is not, and managing pain
Heavy or painful periods are common but not something you must simply endure. Here is what counts as normal and when to see a doctor.
Women's health · 5 min
Contraception: your options, side by side
From pills to implants to condoms, here is how each method works, how well it works, and what to think about when choosing.
Children · 5 min
Your baby's first month: feeding, warmth and danger signs
The first 28 days are when babies are most fragile. Simple care at home prevents most problems, and knowing the danger signs gets help in time.
Food & nutrition · 4 min
Eating well on a small budget
Healthy food does not have to be expensive. Local staples, beans, greens and small changes to how you cook can protect your family from both malnutrition and diabetes.
First aid · 5 min
Road accidents: first aid that saves lives
Africa has the highest road death rate in the world. What bystanders do in the first minutes, and do not do, often decides who survives.
Infections · 4 min
Cholera: protecting your family during an outbreak
Cholera can kill within hours through dehydration, but it is easy to prevent and simple to treat if you act immediately. Here is what to do when there is an outbreak near you.
Emergency numbers
767 works in Lagos State; 112 is the national number. Numbers change: please check locally. If a number does not connect, go straight to the nearest hospital.