Central & South America Vacations Your Need for a Yellow Fever Vaccination

Whether traveling to experience the live volcanoes of Nicaragua, or the ancient temples of Mexico, protect yourself and your loved ones with a yellow fever vaccination. Whether traveling to remote spots or the cities of Central or South America your experience should be one to remember for a lifetime—for the right reasons. Not for contracting a deadly disease! Printed below are some facts that will better help you experience the healthiest and happiest trip possible.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a deadly, life-threatening disease caused by a virus. The two ways it is spread is through the bite of an infected monkey and the bite of an infected mosquito. Guess which one harms more people per year? The bites may cause fever and flu-like symptoms, liver and kidney failure, jaundice and in the worst of cases death. Suffice it to say, it is much better to come back to the United States with a tan than with a case of yellow fever. The best way to protect yourself (from the fever, not the tan) is to receive a yellow fever shot before you leave America.

 

Problem Areas

Keep in mind that yellow fever is still rampant in many areas of the world. A yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended if your travel plans include any of the following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Colombia

Ecuador

French Guiana

Guyana

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Trinidad & Tobago

Venezuela

Vaccinations

 This is the single most important measure for preventing infection. The yellow fever vaccination is easy and affordable and provides effective immunization for over 95% of the inoculated within one week of the shot. The risk of death from the disease is FAR GREATER than the risk of receiving the vaccination. There are, however, a few groups that it is recommended do not receive the vaccination due to health reasons…these include:

• Children less than nine months old (or less than six months during an epidemic).
• Pregnant women – except during an outbreak when the risk of infection is very high.
• People with a severe allergic reaction to eggs and egg whites. (This is because of the fact that the vaccination is incubated inside embryonic eggs.
• Individuals with severe immunodeficiency due to HIV or the presence of a thymus disorder.

What are the Risks?

As with any other vaccination there are risks associated with receiving it. Most side effects are mild and include only soreness & swelling and/or fever and aches. If these problems do occur they should subside within one week of inoculation.

For those people planning a trip to any of the above-mentioned countries, it is recommended that a yellow fever immunization is administered at least two weeks before traveling.