Not vaccinated for Yellow Fever in the Amazon?
I have known for months that I was traveling to Peru to visit a friend. I will be there for 10 days and we were going to hang out in Lima and then the rest of the time in Mancora hanging out at the beach. I am leaving in almost a week and now my friend has changed his mind and says we are now going to Iquitos in the Amazon because he has never been. The problem is I have never had a Yellow Fever vaccine and the CDC website states you should get recommended vaccines 4-6 weeks before your travels. There are tons of other vaccines that are recommended including Hep A which you can get from food and water. Since I am leaving in such a short time there is no way the vaccines would take affect by the time I am there.
Now I’m a little nervous and I am wondering since I don’t have vaccines what I can do to protect myself. Obviously bug spray and long sleeves and pants. We may do a tour of the Amazon–nothing hardcore and we may also tour Belen. Any good suggestions on protection, how often should bug repellent be applied, what kind of shoes are appropriate? I know to drink only bottled water and to stay away from food from street vendors, but is there any particular food or meat I should avoid at the restaurants in Iquitos?
Please answer if you live, have lived, or traveled to or around this area. Thanks!
I’ve been staying in Lima for about 2 months, and was in Buenos Aires for the 2 months before that. I didn’t get yellow fever or Hep A, and luckily nothing’s happened to me. I recently traveled into the rainforest from Iquitos and even though I got TONS of mosquito bites (seriously, they’re relentless) I don’t think I’ve got the fever. That being said, there’s free clinics in Lima where you can get the shot.
I’d recommend you bring rubber boots to the amazon with you. The lodge I was staying at provided us with them. You’re going to be trudging around a lot of mud, and it’ll protect your ankles from bug bites. I put both lotion and DEET spray on, and I was still getting bitten. In addition, try to wear long pants and long sleeves whenever you can. Have fun!
May 16th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
i have never got sick douring my trips to latin america, but going to amazonas is…
dangerous… i would´t go..
the animals, and i dont know ( but i guess) that there are the same animals in avery amazonic country, and in the colombian side.. you would be surprised of the variety, its really beautiful to watch but you gotta be careful with animals… you dont wanna get a rare illnes or something..
References :
May 17th, 2010 at 12:20 am
Actually you still might want to consider the vaccines, if you can get them soon. The yellow fever vaccine is ideally given at least 10 days before travel. During this time you are building up some immunity. So it depends on your exact itinerary- if you are in the Amazon towards the end of your trip it might be worth it. Hepatitis A vaccine can be given any time up to the day of travel, because its incubation period is very long (the time between infection and illness). In fact, in young, healthy people, it can even be given after a known exposure. Then there are vaccines against typhoid and hepatitis B, but there might not be enough time to build enough protection to make it worthwhile. You should speak with a knowledgeable travel health provider about malaria pills too.
References :
Public health/travel dr.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:36 am
I’ve been staying in Lima for about 2 months, and was in Buenos Aires for the 2 months before that. I didn’t get yellow fever or Hep A, and luckily nothing’s happened to me. I recently traveled into the rainforest from Iquitos and even though I got TONS of mosquito bites (seriously, they’re relentless) I don’t think I’ve got the fever. That being said, there’s free clinics in Lima where you can get the shot.
I’d recommend you bring rubber boots to the amazon with you. The lodge I was staying at provided us with them. You’re going to be trudging around a lot of mud, and it’ll protect your ankles from bug bites. I put both lotion and DEET spray on, and I was still getting bitten. In addition, try to wear long pants and long sleeves whenever you can. Have fun!
References :