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Brazil Travel HealthWith Brazil Travel Plan, you can build your own personal Brazil trip using our range of bite-sized Brazil tours. Whether you want an active adventure, or something a little more laid-back, you can set the pace of your Brazil trip. If you're in need of a little inspiration, you can also take your pick from our range of suggested Brazil holidays or contact our friendly travel specialists.When planning your trip, it's important to get up-to-date with all the necessary Brazil travel health information. Here, we've compiled some handy tips and tricks to help you get prepared for your holiday and to ensure that you stay healthy during your Brazil travels. Though we've taken the greatest care to make sure that the information on this page is accurate, we do recommend that you visit your local GP or travel clinic at least 6 weeks before you depart to recieve all the up-to-date Brazil travel health information. |
Brazil Travel Health: VaccinationsMandatory: Yellow Fever is a mandatory vaccination only if you travel to Africa or another South American country before travelling to Brazil. Otherwise this vaccination is only optional.Optional: DTP(Diphtheria, Tetanus Polio) and Hepatitis A. You'll need to protect yourself against Malaria if you plan on visiting the Pantanal or the Amazon. Check out these sites for more Brazil travel health information: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk http://www.tripprep.com/ http://www.who.int/countries/vnm/en/ |
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Brazil Travel Health: More About Vaccinations Yellow Fever (febris flava) is a tropical virus disease. It's found in Africa and Central and South America. The main symptoms are fever, gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood), impaired renal function and liver inflammation (hepatitis) with jaundice (icterus). Yellow fever infection is caused by mosquitoes carrying the arbo virus (Aëdis Egyptian).Vaccination can prevent you from catching yellow fever however it must be administered at least ten days prior to your departure. If you arrive in Brazil by way of Africa or another South American country, you will have to show proof of your vaccination before you are allowed to board your flight to Brazil. Don't forget to pack your International Vaccination Document. |
Most people get DTP-vaccinations (against diphtheria, tetanus, polio) as a child and these vaccinations are valid for 15 years. A booster shot will ensure that you're protected against these illnesses for another 15 years.
Hepatitis A is acute or chronic liver inflammation that occurs without a knowing the cause (= primary hepatitis) or due to another known disease (= secondary hepatitis). Hepatitis is named after the originator (for instance hepatitis A, B, C, etc.). Regular Hepatitis A vaccinations have a limited validity, so you will have to get the vaccination shortly before you leave. If you plan on travelling to a country where Hepatitis A is present for a longer period of time, or if you travel frequently to this type of country, you may want to consider getting a long-term validity Hepatitis vaccination such as Havrix. Keep in mind though that these vaccines are expensive and that you may need one booster shot afterwards.
Brazil Travel Health - MalariaMalaria is common in Brazil and therefore it's always important to protect yourself from mosquito bites during your Malaysia travels. We advise you to contact your GP for more Brazil travel health information on how to protect yourself if you plan on visiting the Amazon or Pantanal.You can lower the risk of mosquito bites during your Brazil holiday by covering your arms, legs and feet, using a mosquito repellent with the chemical substance DEET in (with a lot of it...) and by using mosquito netting. You usually won't need mosquito netting in air-conditioned hotels. If you're staying at a jungle lodge with a fan in your room, you'll also have mosquito netting in your room. If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms during or after a stay in a malarial area, it's always best to contact a GP. |
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Brazil Travel Health - More informationTyphoid FeverThe vaccination for Typhoid Fever is only recommended if you plan on spending a long time in South America (3 months or more). Dengue Fever This disease is carried by mosquitoes, so the same precautions apply as with Malaria. There is no vaccination for Dengue Fever. For more information about this and other diseases, and the status of any outbreaks, we recommend that you contact the National Health Service or a suitable medical institution or health professional for advice. |
Brazil Travel Health - Before You TravelWe recommend that you visit your local GP at least 6 weeks before you take off on your Brazil travels. They can check your records and advise what vaccinations you already have, what you will need, and any other health precautions you may need to take for your Brazil holiday.If you are currently taking prescription medicines, take the information leaflet with you and some spare medicine. This can help in two ways : 1) There will be no chance for confusion at customs 2) It will make life much easier if you lose your medication and need to replace it whilst away. If you wear glasses or use contact lenses, it's a good idea to take a copy of your prescription or a spare pair of glasses/lenses. |
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Brazil Travel Health - JetlagOf course it's important that you try to maintain a good level of health during your Brazil trip. So when you're away on holiday, you should remain alert and if you have any doubts about your Brazil travel health, you should consult a doctor. If you have language problems you can ask our local agents in the larger towns and cities of Brazil.Jet lag This occurs when your biological clock is confused as a result of flying through different time zones. The body has to adjust to the new biorhythm for the first few days after your flight, during which time you can feel tired in the day and awake at night. It's generally recommended that you drink limited amounts of coffee or alcohol during the flight, and upon arrival don't demand too much of your body for the first couple of days. It's also handy to get into the new sleeping pattern as quickly as possible. When you first arrive at the beginning of your Brazil travels, it's probably worth having a nap for an hour or so, and then staying awake and having a reasonably early night. |
Brazil Travel Health - DiarrhoeaDiarrhoeaA change of routine, climate and food (especially spicy) can throw your stomach out of sorts. However, as long as it is only loose, watery stools and there are no other symptoms, it's normally unnecessary to take anything; just take it easy and drink plenty of water in small quantities. Children and the elderly may require some Oral Rehydration Salts, these are dissolved in water and prevent dehydration. Drugs, such as lope amide and diphenoxylate, may be taken if you really have to travel when you have diarrhoea (not suitable for children under two years old). You should only use these drugs when you're on the move and cannot get to the toilet regularly. If the diarrhoea persists for more than 48 hours, AND is accompanied by a headache, vomiting, or blood in the stool OR; you’re taking any other medication at the time, you should contact a doctor. Also, please bare in mind that diarrhoea can prevent oral contraception pills working properly. |
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Brazil Travel Health - Diarrhoea PreventionDiarrhoea preventionWhen you're travelling in Brazil, you should only consume water, and soft drinks from properly closed and sealed bottles or cans. Drinks made with boiled bottled water, such as tea or coffee are also fine. Ice is only trustworthy in the form of manufactured bagged ice, but this is widely available. Fruit juice is safe, but only if no water has been added. Food, especially meat and fish must be cooked properly, so that it is well cooked all the way through. In Brazil, eating food from street stalls is common place, but to prevent illness a good idea is to eat where it's busy. This usually means that the food is good, and that the turnover means the time between food preparation and consumption is the shortest possible. It's probably best not to eat meat at the end of the day, as the meat can sometimes have been lying around all day in the heat un-refrigerated. |
Brazil Travel Health - A Few More Tips...Skin care• If you cut or scratch yourself whilst in Brazil, keep a close eye on it. Clean the cut with disinfectant and keep it covered with a plaster during the day. • Don't scratch mosquito bites, they're infuriating, but it only makes them worse. You can avoid attracting biting insects, by wearing light coloured clothing, especially in the evening. Try to avoid resembling a flower, and go easy on the strong perfume aftershave or deodorant. • If you're prone to skin irritations, wear cotton or linen clothing, and you can help avoid prickly heat by using talcum powder after your morning shower. •Wash or disinfect your hands after using the toilet, and don't bite your nails. Sunstroke When travelling in Brazil, always use a high factor sun tan lotion on exposed skin, even during the rainy season. Snorkelling in a T-shirt is a wise idea as even waterproof sun tan lotion washes off after a while. Sunstroke can be prevented by wearing a hat and sunglasses. Always try and keep a bottle of water with you, especially if you're out in the wilderness and unlikely to come across drinking water. If you suspect sunstroke (feeling light-headed, headaches), you can prevent it from getting worse by drinking water and finding somewhere in the shade to rest. |
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Brazil Travel Health - After your tripIf upon your return (or up to several months later) you get a fever, intestinal problems or any other related health problems that seem unusual, contact your GRP and let him/ her know you were in Brazil, the length of your stay and what kind of trip you went on. |
