Travel health advice for South America

Understanding the health risks and including a visit to your doctor before you go will help ensure you protect your health. I organized an appointment with the International Travel Vaccination Clinic (I live in Geneva so I went to the HUG Tropical and Humanitarian Medecine) to discuss all medical aspects before leaving. I recommend you book well in advance of your trip because some vaccines may require a long period to take effect and more than one dose may be required. You should also check for combined shots to avoid having to have to be injected too many times (ex: hepatitis A+B, tetanus+polio).

Vaccinations recommended for South America:

• Ensure you are up to date with all the common vaccinations (you may need a booster). This includes: tetanus, diphtheria, chickenpox, polio, measles, rubella, hepatitis A
• Yellow Fever: mainly spreads from the bite of infected mosquitos. It is requested by certain countries in South America. Not all doctors can give it, you should contact an approved Yellow Fever vaccination centre. Don’t forget to take your proof of vaccination with you!
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid Fever: oral vaccination, has to be taken at least 2 weeks before departure
• Rabies: dépends on the country and duration of your stay, as I’m staying 3 months in Peru, I had to get it (3 doses on 21 days!!)

!! This information is subject to change. Please ask your doctor and check with official health websites.

Other medication you should think about:

• Malaria: ask your doctor for a medicine to bring with you and to take in case of fever (suspicion of paludisme), as there are some regions at risk.
• Altitude sickness: if you are travelling to areas of high altitude (ex: Machu Picchu)
• Seriously hardcore mosquito repellent: a number of diseases that you do NOT want to get are transmitted by mosquitos (malaria, Zika Virus and Dengue). Your best option is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos so I recommend getting the good stuff when it comes to repellents: cream, spray, bracelets.
• Treatment for Traveller’s diarrhoea and constipation
• Basic medication: pain/fever killers, after sun lotion, motion sickness medicine, anti-itch cream, antiinflammatory ointment, water purification tablets, antihistemine ointment and tablets, cystitis treatment (for women) and any prescription medication you need to take (contraception pill, diabetes, etc.)
• First aid kit: bandages, moleskin, butterfly closures, antiseptic wipes, hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, medical adhesive tape, tweezers, small scissors
• Condoms: there is a high level risk of HIV in South America!

Spread your prescription medication in your different luggages and keep some in your hand luggage as there could be some problems with your suitcase at the airport. Also think of bringing an extra prescription for your prescription mediction.