text: do i really need to take precaution/prophylacsis against malaria when i travel to tanzania?.?   malaria is a huge problem in tanzania.  if you go there without taking precautions, you are almost assured to get it.  keep in mind that malaria is the number one killer of children in tanzania.  taking the prophylactic medicine,even with the rare side effects,  is far less risky than not taking it and contracting malaria.  my suggestion for travelling to tanzania?  bring a 55 gallon drum of mosquito repellant with you.  :p