Prior-to-travel

Make an appointment with your own Doctor or Medical travel clinic. They will advise what vaccinations and immunisations are required or recommended for visiting South America. Tell them which countries and areas you will be visiting. More than likely you will require a Yellow Fever vaccination - and have to carry your Yellow Fever certificate with your passport as proof.

General travel & health information for individual countries can be obtained from the World Health Organistation website.

A course of anti-malaria tablets may be required if you are travelling to the low lying Amazon Basin regions.

If you are planning a lengthy trip it is wise to also visit your Dentist for a check-up prior to departure.

Make sure that your Travel Insurance includes medical coverage (including emergency evacuation coverage)

Medical / First Aid Kit

It is advisable to carry a Medical / First Aid Kit. Either buy a ‘ready made kit’ or make up your own kit.

Pharmacys ("la farmacia") are easily accessible in South American towns and cities to purchase medical items during your travels.

Items you may wish to consider including:

Analgesic (pain relief) medication such as paracetamol or aspirin.
Antihistamine tablets for bites, stings or allergies.
Antiseptic ointment to apply to a wound.
Band Aids.
Diarrhoea medication, e.g. Imodium.
Eye lubricant drops.
Fluid and electrolyte replacement powder or tablets, e.g. Gastrolyte.
Insect repellent containing DEET.
Medical adhesive tape, e.g. Micropore.
Motion sickness tablets.
Multivitamin/mineral tablets if travelling for long periods to places where your diet may be lacking in essential nutrients.
Regular prescription medications, which should be carried in your hand luggage when travelling. You should also take a copy of your prescriptions with you, written using the generic name of the drug to avoid confusion with trade names in foreign countries.
Safety pins, tweezers and scissors (you may not be allowed to carry these in your cabin luggage).
Sting relief solution, e.g. Stingose.
Sunscreen (at least SPF 15+).
Thermometer (a forehead thermometer is best for travel as it doesn’t break or run out of batteries).
Throat lozenges.
Water purifying tablets.
Wound dressings, e.g. a crepe bandage, gauze swabs and OpSite, and Steristrips, which can often take the place of stitches.

Travel Health Tips

My own doctor told me that, in his opinion, he thought most bacteria causing travel illnesses are transmitted from your hand-to-food-to-mouth. Try using a Hand Sanitizer Lotion before eating all your meals. By applying a small amount of this lotion to your hands ensures that any bacteria is eliminated. I recommend this excellent product Coghlan's RINSE FREE HAND SANITIZER which you can cheaply purchase here. Use search word Sanitizer

Food & Drink

I have not had the experience of falling ill in South America. But many travellers may experience unwelcome symptoms – diarrhoea is the most common (known in South America as the 'Inca quickstep!').

I was told to avoid eating food at local markets - I must admit that I ate many meals from local markets and felt fine.

Try and avoid drinking local water (or take water purifying tablets). Bottled water is readily available in all towns and cities – very cheaply priced.

If possible avoid ice cubes with your drinks – “Por Favor, No hielo”
(Please, No Ice).

Also it's advisable to brush your teeth using bottled water.

Altitude sickness

Travelling through the Andes you will regularly be travelling above an altitude of 2000+ metres. Over this height travellers may be affected by Altitude sickness.

Altitude Sickness is non-discriminatory in that you may be perfectly healthy but still suffer effects.

The signs and symptoms of altitude sickness include (mild or severe): Headache, Lack of appetite, Nausea or Vomiting ,Fatigue or Weakness, Dizziness or light-headedness, Insomnia.

Treat mild symptoms by resting at the same altitude until recovery, usually a day or two. If symptoms persist or worsen an immediate descent to lower altitudes is required.

In most of the high altitude areas frequented by tourists, hotels have oxygen and medication is available. The traditional remedy in Bolivia and Peru is mate de coca, a tea made from coca leaves that you can buy in most cafes.

Sun burn

Remember that the sun is more intense in the unpolluted and rarefied atmosphere of high altitudes. Even 10 minutes of exposure can burn skin. Ensure you have adequate sun protection.

Note: Health & Medical Advice on this page is indicative. Please visit your own Doctor or Travel Medical Clinic to confirm your personal medical requirements for travelling to South America.

2007 South America Travel Advice