Mactimes3

Hello Frequent Flyers!! i am travelling to Peru in oct 2011. We will be iquitos and spend several days on teh amazon. i hate the idea of vaccines but i wonder if you would usually get yellow fever or hepatitis for this area. i assume malaria control is a must. Thanks Mac

P_M

Don't even think about going to the Amazon jungle without the yellow fever shot!! YF is transmitted through mosquito bites and is almost always fatal. You are correct that malaria control is a must.

You can get your YF shot and all meds at a travel clinic.

skibumette

The Peruvians have been checking passengers boarding flights to Iquitos for proof of valid Yellow Fever vaccinations, but you'd want it for your own protection anyway. Get this at least 10 days before arriving in the Amazon region. Malaria risk there too. Hepatitis A vaccine? Don't leave home without it -- it's 98% protective and long lasting.

lcuy

Other countries may not let you enter if you were in the amazon area and can 't show proof of Yellow fever vaccine. You're a long way from good medical care out there, so I'd get whatever vaccines your health person reccommends, and load up on the mosquito repellent; either a Deet or Picaridin based one.

qwovadis

mdtravelhealth.com Peru for correct info.

Yellow Fever is rare to unheard of in tourists

but to go to the jungle threre is slight risk it is wise

and if you are crossing borders like into Bolivia REQUIRED

Hep A and usual childhood jabs also wise

www.malariahospots.co.uk preventive wise in jungle

Doxycycline 100mg works great for me there #270 from

Walmart cots me $12 just go for that.

www.lap.com.pe gives the jab cert for $20

wait at leat 10 days to take effect.

Public Health will have cheapest rates(not cheap)

b4 u leave... but relax YF is very uncommon.

Happy Travels!

qwovadis

Your 2 biggest health risks are travelers diarrhea

Bottled water bake peel it boil it or leave it

on food water also altitude illness adjust very

slowly or take preventives if going up high...

mlgb

There was a suspected case of YF earlier this year in Peru (not a tourist) so they may be more strict on vaccinations at present.

SandyBlandy

I've just returned from the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado area)- an amazing experience!

Do make sure you pack anti-malarial pills and bug spray. I got sloppy when using the bug spray and in one 24 hour period I got more than 40 mosquito bites (I stopped counting after that). Keep your YF card in your passport as you may need to show it when you land at Iquitos.

A good site about vaccination recommendations:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx

Also, as others have mentioned, ensure you drink bottled water and don't eat salads/fruits that have been washed in tap water or eat luck-warm rice that's been sitting around; I got travellers' diarrhoea in the Sacred Valley and a couple of doses of imodium and rehydration mix fixed me right up.

crellston

Nobody likes vaccinations but they are essential particularly when visiting places like the Amazon. For me, malaria phrophylatics, yellow fever, hep A, Tetanus and Thyphoid would be a minimum. However, rather than rely on unqualified advice on forums such as this you should consult a qualified physician speicalisng in travel/tropical medicine.

Comments such as "doxycycline 100mg works for me" and "but relax YF is very uncommon" from certain forum members are not helpful. The whole point of vaccinations is to prevent uncommon diseases. there are many different type of malaria drugs and not all are suitable for all areas. Most have some side effects for some people and which one to take is dependent upon personal health as well as location.

mlgb

Actually I think qwo is an MD it's always a good idea to check with your own doctor, for example before I had HepA and B vaccines my own MD wanted to run blood tests (I think to verify that I didn't already have antibodies). Although doxycycline is a prescribed malaria prophylactic for the Amazon area around Iquitos, it may cause sun sensitivity (and certain unpleasant conditions esp. for females). Otoh Malarone is tres expensive if your provider doesn't cover it.

crellston

"Actually I think qwo is an MD" - If this is the case then he should know better

JBX

Nobody likes getting shots, but likely should do so. Definitely check with your own doctor for his suggestions.

fyi.... if qwo is an MD (LOL !), OMG, he posts way too much and needs to get a few more patients.

mlgb

He is maybe a RETIRED MD!!

mlgb

And btw all of his advice is the same that I received from my own doctor.

Yellow Fever is rare, and vaccines are primarily to protect the public health in case of an urban outbreak in regions where it is endemic. Usually if you are over 60+ the risk of the vaccine is higher than the risk of contracting it especially when there is no active outbreak.

The most recent serious outbreak near Iquitos was dengue, for which there is no vaccine and no treatment, use your repellent 24/7 and don't assume you are only at risk in the jungle.

Jackie

I had my visit to Travel Clinic today for upcoming trip (Ollyantambo, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado) and got lots of advice, much of which is above.

Regarding malaria pills, doc said that while the doxycline is less expensive you have to take it for 28 days; and that the malarone would cost $8/day but you take it fewer days.

I asked about Pepto Bismal as a preventative. He said there are studies that show taking a tablet 4 x per day is 70% effective. I have an old Rx for Cipro, so asked how long it was good for--learned only a year so got a new Rx.

I'd gotten pills for high altitude from PCP but was unclear about when and how long to take them for. Travel clinic doc said to take them for 3 days--1 day before arrival and then for another 2 days (2x/day. It didn't matter that I was starting at lower altitude and then moving higher.

Also said to be sure to use mosquito repellent that was at least 20% deet. I asked about the picardin and he said that would work equally well but to apply it more often.

He asked about all childhood diseases (measles, chickenpox) and vaccinations (polio) and checked other immunizations. Learned my tetanus shot booster was good for 10 years and after two Hep A shots, I didn't need any more. He recommended a typhoid shot/pills and yellow fever. I passed on the typhoid. Got out with the yellow fever and a flu shot.