Diseases To Watch Out for in South America

South America, like many tropical climates, is a breeding ground for some pretty nasty diseases. Before packing your bags and traveling, you need to be informed of what you could catch and the ways to go about preventing it.

Dengue

Dengue is one of the most popular diseases caught by travelers, likely due to the fact there’s little you can do to prevent it. The disease is spread by mosquito bites and comes with some pretty nasty side effects. Namely, severe headaches, nausea, soreness and, in serious cases, bleeding from the nose, gums and even under the skin. In rare instances, it can lead to hemorrhaging, but for the most part it goes away on its own in a few days or weeks. Cover yourself in bug spray with DEET whenever you go out and sleep in areas treated with spray and mosquito nets.

Malaria

Malaria is also caused by mosquito bites and can lead to fever, vomiting, diarrhea and, in some cases, death. Speak with your doctor about medications to help prevent malaria before traveling, and combine them with ample amounts of mosquito-repellant. Drugs can typically be used to treat malaria, but it’s important to get to a doctor as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A attacks the liver and can lead to jaundice, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and more. It’s usually passed from one infected person to another if the infected person handles food without washing beforehand. Though not typically fatal, it is an uncomfortable experience. Luckily, there is a vaccination available for Hep A and you should speak with your doctor before traveling to see if it’s right for you.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid is a particularly nasty disease that leads to high fever, vomiting and anorexia. In rare cases, it can lead to death. The disease is passed primarily through poor hygiene in food preparation, so be wary of where you eat. There is a vaccine available for typhoid, though it isn’t 100 percent effective.