Health Risks in Brazil
Known for being a tropical paradise, Brazil is a wonderful place in which to escape. However, behind its amazing beauty are risks that the informed travel must take into account.
While the risks of travelling to Brazil are not to be taken lightly, with some research, common sense, and private health insurance even the most adventurous traveller should find an enjoyable trip awaiting them. As within any country, diligent expats must check their private health insurance in Brazil to ensure that they will be properly secure and covered health-wise as they relocate.
Common illnesses
In Brazil, many common illnesses are related to the tropical climate of the region. Mosquitoes thrive well in Brazil’s occasionally wet, mostly humid, and always warm environment, so expats should know how to repel Mosquitos. One of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases that may be contracted in the country is malaria. Symptoms include fever, chills and sweating, headaches, diarrhoea, and abdominal pains. This disease has an incubation period of up to 18 months, so make sure to consult a doctor immediately if you encounter these symptoms as malaria is a potentially fatal disease.
Other diseases transmitted via mosquito bites are dengue fever and yellow fever. Dengue fever is also characterised by high fever, nausea, vomiting, and joint pains but is more specifically detectable with the presence of bright red rashes after the onset of fever. Yellow fever has similar symptoms but is recognisable because the infected person tends to have a jaundiced-like appearance (yellowish skin) and clear white eyes.
Another illness called hantavirus had seen some cases in Brazil. According to research, this disease is transmitted via infected rodents. Symptoms include hemorrhagic fever, pneumonia, headache, diarrhoea, and nausea among others.
If you have international health insurance in Brazil, it is best to consult with a local doctor who can inform you of other common health risks in your particular area. With the appropriate preventive measure, most health risks specific to Brazil can easily be avoided.