Health Precautions To Take For Your Journey To Brazil

Whether you are traveling to Brazil for a vacation, or you are going to the country in order to work there, it is important to take some time to make sure you protect your health and that you aren't taking any unnecessary risks once you arrive. Depending on the area of the country you will be visiting, the range of vaccinations that you will need to take can vary, with many serious diseases that can affect those who are going to Brazil. There are a number of steps that you will need to take before you embark on your journey to Brazil to make sure that you and your family remain healthy during your time in the country.

Important Vaccinations To Take Before Traveling To Brazil

There are some vaccines that you will have received earlier in your life and some that will reflect the specific diseases that are particularly prominent in Brazil, but it is very important that you visit your physician or medical center around two months before you travel to Brazil to arrange your vaccinations. Diseases such as tetanus and measles are normally vaccinated in the western world anyway, but it is important to check these are up to date as they are diseases that are common in Brazil.

There are also a variety of other vaccinations that should be considered by your doctor depending on the part of the country your will be visiting, with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Yellow Fever being common vaccinations. Other vaccinations that are sometimes given to those visiting Brazil include Diphtheria, Rabies and Typhoid.

Malaria Problems In Brazil

If you are traveling or living in the north or west of the country, there is a good chance that you will be traveling in an area which has a risk of malaria, which is commonly transmitted by mosquito bites. There are a variety of different treatments that can be used for malaria, and many people who will be in the area may want to consider using antimalarial drugs to help prevent the contraction of the disease. Your doctor will discuss your family history and the other medication that you use on a regular basis, before recommending an antimalarial drug to take before and during your time in the region.

For those who are going to be exploring the Amazon region of the country where medical facilities can be quite a journey away, it may be worth carrying malaria treatment with you in case you are bitten by a mosquito and need immediate treatment.

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Taking precautions to avoid being bitten is vital if you are going to be traveling in areas where malaria is present, as it is a horrible disease and one that can ravage the body and be fatal in some cases. There are a number of steps that you can take apart from medicinal treatments to help prevent yourself from contracting the condition, and making sure there are effective screens in your accommodation is a good start. If you are camping, then you can also use mosquito nets to help prevent the animals from getting close enough to bite. Despite the conditions, it is also wise to wear loose fitting clothing with long sleeves, and to wear plenty of insect repellent, particularly in the evening and at night when mosquitoes are most active.

What To Include In Your First Aid Kit

If you are going to be in Brazil for a period, particularly if you are heading to some of the more remote parts of the country, taking a first aid kit is a very good idea. Along with your usual medication and any antimalarial drugs recommended by your doctor, it is also worth packing essentials such as sunscreen, insect repellent and anti-diarrhea tablets too. Some people also choose to take sterile needles and syringes in case they need medical treatment during their travels, as some parts of the country may not have the hygiene facilities that are common in other parts of the world.

Traveling Safely In The Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon is an amazing part of the world to visit, but it is also quite a dangerous place for those who are unaware of their surroundings, so being careful is very important. If you are intending to go nature spotting, it is important not to get too close to any wild animals, particularly those that can bite or may attack if they feel threatened by your presence. It is also vital not to go swimming in the Amazon as there are not only many dangerous creatures in the water, but also a variety of bacteria that can cause diseases when absorbed either by ingestion or through the skin.

Precautions To Take Once You Arrive In Brazil

There are plenty of different situations in which you can become ill or injured in Brazil, and for many people the threat of crime and muggings can be just as real in the city as the threat of disease is in the countryside. When it comes to exploring the cities, try not to stand out by talking English loudly or wearing ostentatious clothing that will only make you stick out. If you are mugged, trying to hang to your valuables is not worth the risk of being attacked and seriously injured, so do not try to fight back. Be aware of the threats, both natural and social that may be relevant in the area in which you are traveling, and know how to get help if you need to.