Vaccines to travel to Brazil

Talking about vaccines to travel to Brazil means doing it tips, not of obligations. This means that the Brazilian government does not require any type of vaccination to enter the country. Except for the requirements derived from the pandemic (here is an article on these standards by nation), There are no legal sanitary conditions to visit Rio de Janeiro lands.

However, you should keep in mind that Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. It has more than eight million square kilometers and includes a great diversity both climatic and geographical. Therefore, it is highly recommended that receive certain vaccinations to travel to BrazilEspecially if you are heading to certain regions.

Vaccines to travel to Brazil, more than a recommendation

As we were saying, the South American country is immense and includes a good part of the Amazon. Therefore, you will not need the same vaccines if you travel to the latter as if you do it to Rio de Janeiro, for example.

In any case, there are a number of them that are highly recommended regardless of the territory you visit. And none of them are going to hurt you, so you don't lose anything by putting it on and avoiding the risk of dangerous diseases. You can request an appointment to inoculate yourself in any of the international vaccination centers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain in this link. But, without further ado, we are going to talk to you about the vaccines to travel to Brazil that are recommended.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This is such a common disease in the South American country that, until recently, its authorities required to be vaccinated against it before entering the country. Yellow fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes with its bite. aedes aegypti, also called a mummy mosquito.

This insect also transmits the dengue, more dangerous, since it does not have a vaccine. But, going back to yellow fever, its symptoms are, precisely, fever, headaches and back pain, nausea and vomiting. If it is not treated in time, the patient begins to develop jaundice (hence the adjective yellow) and suffering from hemorrhages. This second phase presents a mortality of approximately 50%.

Therefore, it is a very serious disease. And, as it costs you nothing to get vaccinated, our advice if you travel to Brazil is that you always do it to be calmer. In any case, if you visit the Amazon, remember that this vaccine does not protect you against the aforementioned dengue. So wear long-sleeved clothes and use a strong mosquito repellent.

Tetanus

Unlike the previous one, this disease is suffered when the bacteria Clostridium tetani infects a wound. As you well know, this can be produced very easily, especially if you travel to the wild areas of Brazil. And you must bear in mind that the aforementioned bacteria is found in any contaminated surface. For example, it is very common in oxidized metals.

Therefore, it is not difficult for you to meet her. In turn, the Clostridium difficile generates neurotoxins that affect the entire nervous system. Its main symptoms are spasms, violent muscle contractions, stiffness and even paralysis. They are accompanied by fever, excessive sweating, and drooling.

Apart from the suffering it causes, if not treated in time, it can be fatal. Therefore, as we advised you previously, you lose nothing by getting vaccinated against this disease.

On the other hand, the tetanus vaccine usually includes those of the diphtheria and the whooping cough, also recommended for traveling to Brazil. The first is an infectious disease that is transmitted orally, specifically by coughing or sneezing. It is caused by the call Klebs-Löffler bacillus and it can be especially serious in young children.

Regarding whooping cough, it is also an infectious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Characteristic of it is the spasmodic cough and it is very contagious. Like the previous one, it affects young children more seriously. However, unless it causes complications, it usually heals well.

Hepatitis A vaccine

This is also an infectious disease, which causes inflammation of the liver. It is produced, precisely, by the hepatitis A virus or Paramyxovirus 72 and it is less serious than other variants of the same disease of which we will also talk to you.

In fact, it cannot become chronic or cause permanent liver damage. But it can be contracted relatively easily, since it is transmitted by contaminated food or water, as well as through unclean surfaces. For this reason, we advise you to wash your hands frequently, something that, without a doubt, will sound familiar to you due to the coronavirus.

And, of course, we recommend that you get vaccinated against hepatitis A. It is inoculated in two doses six months apart. It is convenient to travel to Brazil, so you should consider receiving the vaccine in good time. To have it complete, you need six months to pass, as we said.

Hepatitis B vaccine

We could tell you about this disease the same thing that we have indicated for hepatitis A. However, modality B is more dangerous, since it can generate chronic infection and this, in turn, can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

However, in most cases it is not serious. But it can take up to four months for symptoms to appear from the moment you are infected. In this case, it is transmitted by body fluids. For example, blood or semen, but not from coughing or sneezing.

In addition, contrary to what happens with other pathologies, hepatitis B becomes chronic more easily in young people than in the majors. Consequently, it is best to get vaccinated before traveling to Brazil. In this case, the antigen consists of two or three doses administered, likewise, with an interval of six months.

MMR vaccine

This is the name given to the one that prevents ailments such as measles, rubella, and mumps. The first is an infection of the exanthematic type, that is, it causes red rashes on the skin, caused by a virus, specifically from the family paramyxoviridae. Another symptom of this disease is cough and, if it inflames the brain, it can be very serious.

With regards to rubellaIt is also an infectious disease that also shows up with skin rashes and is caused by a virus. In this case, it is transmitted by airway and it takes between five and seven days to manifest itself, but it is very contagious. However, except in the case of pregnant women it is not serious. In these, it can damage the embryo causing permanent damage.

Finally, the parotitis it is also a common disease. His name probably won't sound familiar to you. But, if we tell you that they are the mumpsYou've surely heard of them. It is transmitted by the Mumps myxovirus, although there is also a variant caused by bacteria. It is also not a serious disease as long as it is treated. Otherwise and in extreme cases it can lead to meningitis, pancreatitis or infertility in men.

The MMR vaccine prevents all of these diseases and is given in two doses four weeks apart.

Other precautions on a trip to Brazil

The ones that we have explained to you are the vaccines to travel to Brazil that specialists recommend. We advise you to put them if you are going to do it. But, in addition, it is recommended that you follow other precautions on your trip so that your health is not compromised.

The first step is for you to sign up for the Travelers Registration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that you hire a travel medical insurance. Keep in mind that the Spanish Social Security has no validity in Brazil. Therefore, in case you get sick, all expenses they would run at your expense. And that includes hospitalization, treatment and even repatriation.

On the other hand, all organisms recommend that, when drinking water, you only drink it bottled up, never from the tap or springs. Similarly, the fruit and vegetables you eat should be well washed and disinfected.

Regarding the beaches, make sure they are not polluted. On Sao Paulo y Santa Catarina there are quite a few where bathing is prohibited. And, as for medicines, take them from Spain to avoid running out of them. However, they could be checked for you at the airport upon arrival. Therefore, we recommend that you also bring the recipe or a document that justifies that you are taking them.

In any case, if you have doubts, we recommend that you visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify all that you still wonder.

In conclusion, we have told you about all the vaccines to travel to Brazil recommended by experts. None have side effects, so we advise you to put them on. And, if you still have doubts, it is also advisable that you consult your doctor. Thus, you will travel safely and live a extraordinary experience that no disease can ruin you.