Fitzroy Loop or Yellow Fever? Huayhuash or Hepatitis? Don't let illness stop your travel plans, check out our guide to vaccinations for South America.
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Every traveler should discuss their needs with their doctor prior to travel and with proper preparation, you can maintain your health while traveling anywhere in South America.
Vaccinations
At a minimum, the following vaccinations are recommended for travel in South America:
- Routine vaccinations such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
Other vaccinations which may need to be considered depending on traveler needs and travel activities:
- Rabies
- Meningitis (Meningococcal) - The risk for the majority of travelers is low however those who are spending extended periods of travel in densely populated areas or in locations where the disease is present e.g. health workers or volunteers should consider getting the vaccination.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is found in several sub-tropical and tropical countries within South America such as Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.
If you are arriving in any country from a country where yellow fever is present, you will need to supply proof of vaccination on arrival. Some yellow fever-endemic countries will also not permit entry if travelers have not received the vaccination.
Rabies
It's recommended to get a rabies vaccination if you are planning outdoor activities as a part of your trip (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) or traveling extensively in rural locations (where access to medical treatment is non-existent to minimal) that puts you at risk of an animal bite.
Rabies has been eliminated from most countries in South America due to efficient vaccination programs.
Most people don't expect to be bitten by a dog, monkey or bat while traveling but if you're bitten, you will need to seek medical treatment immediately (if, in a major city or town) or evacuate to a large city with proper medical care and access to the post-exposure prophylaxis. However, it may be difficult to find and in some Asian countries, there can be localized shortages of the rabies vaccine.
Many rural and developing nation hospitals may not use the safer rabies vaccines instead using older types with risks to the traveler such as severe allergic reactions.
Malaria
Malaria is present in several countries in South America and if not treated, it can lead to further health complications or worse, death. Travelers should consider taking an anti-malarial before traveling however it's important to chat with your doctor as some antimalarials work better than others.
Travel health tips
In terms of general travel safety in Asia, a few other tips to avoid illness are:
1. Water safety
There are not many places in South America where you can drink water straight from the tap. Drink and brush your teeth with purified, treated water only. Keep your mouth closed while taking a shower or if you are in the midst of a water festival. Avoid ice and icy drinks unless you know the ice has come from a safe source.
2. Be a compulsive hand washer
A bottle of hand sanitizer should be carried with you and be used after visiting the restroom, before each meal, after handling paper bills and coins, before putting in or taking-out contact lenses, etc. Hepatitis A and typhoid are passed in human feces, so be a compulsive hand cleaner.
3. Avoid mozzie bites
Use DEET and permethrin, long sleeves and pants, and bed nets to prevent insect bites. Need more tips? Check out this article on minimizing mosquito bites.
4. Watch what you eat
Part of the travel experience is trying all the amazing and diverse dishes from the many countries in South America. However, sometimes things don't go to plan and you may end up with a dose of traveler's diarrhea or worse, hepatitis A or typhoid. You need to know what to look for when planning to eat out, otherwise, you could end up stuck to the toilet or laid up in hospital.
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