Health Risks in Peru

There are number of illnesses in Peru that may pose a risk to people who are planning to relocate to this country. The first step for any traveler to take is to know exactly what these health risks are and to take precautionary measures such as getting the right vaccinations. Public health insurance is available in the country for expatriates, but services may not be up to par with those offered by private facilities. Hence, private health insurance in Peru will provide great help for any expat's medical needs.

Yellow fever is one of the illnesses that lead to the high mortality in Peru. Carriers of this disease are mosquitoes that are infected with the infective agent. Headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, back pain, high fever, chills are the common symptoms that may not be recognizable until after about seven days from being bitten by an infected mosquito.  

As a tropical area, malaria is another well-known health risk in Peru and is also transmitted through mosquito bites. Peru is considered malaria zone, so it is best for every traveler to bring along insect repellents and have the right vaccinations before flying to the country. Fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, and headache are the signs to watch out for.

Other health risks in Peru may be related to physical activities such as hiking in high altitude mountains. For example, people who wish to go to Machu Picchu or Lake Titicaca are advised to see their physicians before planning a trek to examine whether or not they have heart and breathing problems.

To manage these risks, it is good to have international health insurance in Peru in handy to help with the bills, especially for those who have just moved and are still getting used to a new environment.