Health

Please consult your personal G.P or travel medical professional before undertaking any trips to the tropics. South America is home to a variety of pathogens that cause different diseases.  Of the diseases, the most notable are yellow fever, dengue fever, and malaria. All of these are mosquito born and both yellow fever and malaria require preventative medication. There is no preventative medication available for dengue fever, however, the disease has a limit on growth and almost all infected individuals have complete recovery.

As these pathogens are carried by mosquitoes, the best thing is to prevent bites, which is easier said than done in the tropics. On the other hand, you can reduce the amount of bites considerably and greatly reduce the probability of a bite leading to an infection.Suggestions are to wear long sleeved, loose fitting clothing, and always wear and carry insect repellent designed for the tropics. Always sleep under a mosquito net preferably soaked in insecticide. Remember to ensure the net reaches the floor or is sufficiently secured so there are no gaps. If camping in the rainforest, line your mosquito net with clothing entirely around the perimeter, as mosquitoes will constantly be trying to gain entry anywhere they can.  Mosquitoes are more active during the night and less likely to bite you if you are moving.

Travel Med Kits

These are one of the best investments in any trip to the tropics. Due to unfamiliar bacteria in food and novel hazards, you may get sick at some point. Med kits are available from a travel doctor or you can ask your local doctor to make one up for you. What you require is dependent on where you are going, what you are doing, and how long you a planning to stay. Med kits usually consist of general medication for headaches, stomach aches, inflammation, nausea, diarrhoea, rashes, and also include pain killers. They usually come with bandages, bandaids, iodine, and latex gloves. A quality medkit will also include a booklet for quick self-diagnosis and treatment if professional help is unavailable. Additionally, you can take water purifying tablets and sterile needles (to ensure sterility of equipment in the unlikely event that you are hospitalised).