To Know Before You Go

Health Issues

* Almost all Brazilian cities have treated water supplies. Those that don't use artesian well water. Either way, you're probably not going to get sick from drinking the water, anything washed in it or ice cubes made from it. But if the taste of chlorine is not your favorite, it's probably best to drink only água mineral sem gás (non carbonated mineral water) or com gás (carbonated) which is readily available almost everywhere. In Rio de Janeiro, the problem is not the water, it's the delivery system which is old and leaky. Again, it's probably best to drink only água mineral sem gás (non carbonated mineral water).

* Because Brazil is a tropical country, it's very easy to quickly become dehydrated. Brazilian doctors recommend drinking at least two liters of water per day. You should also consider drinking coconut water which is readily available at many beaches and in cities from street vendors as well as restaurants and lanchonetes (snack bars). Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage with the same electrolytic level as human blood. It contains no cholesterol, is naturally sterile and is full of natural sugars, salts and vitamins to ward off fatigue. It's nature's own 'sports drink' and far better for you than any commercially produced product.

* If your travel plans include time at the beach, limit your exposure to the sun to recommended time limits and use a sun block with a rating of 30 or more. More than a few North American and European tourists have been almost (literally) fried on Brazilian beaches. Numerous marcas (brands) of sun block are available at most drogarias (drug stores).

* Because of the tropical climate of Brazil, occasional cases of Yellow fever, Dengue fever and Chagas disease are reported in various parts of the country. In addition, cases of hepatitis A, B, C and D are not unknown. Brazilian public health officials are both diligent and quick to respond to any reported case of these or other communicable diseases.

* If your travel plans include areas in the north, northeast or center west of the country (specifically, the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, the Federal District of Brasilia, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and/or Tocantins), a yellow fever vaccination (good for ten years) is advised. If, within the last 90 days, you've traveled in Angola, Bolivia, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Colombia, the Congo, Ecuador, French Guyana, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan or Venezuela, you may be asked to provide proof that you've had a yellow fever vaccination. Make sure that you carry a record of your yellow fever immunization.

* You may want to consider having a gamma globulin injection which can offer protection against some forms of hepatitis.

* Because many tropical diseases are mosquito borne, you may want to pack a can or bottle or your favorite insect repellent. Many insect repellents, including well known brands such as Off, are also available in Brazil.

* The Brazilian medical infrastructure is first rate. Brazilian doctors and dentists are well trained, competent and up to date with all the very latest developments, procedures, treatments and medications They also use the most modern diagnostic tools and Brazilian medical testing laboratories are top notch. Should you feel the need for a doctor or dentist, don't hesitate. Many hotels, travel agents or the nearest consulate of your country can probably put you in contact with an English speaking doctor or dentist.

* If you wear glasses or contacts, it's a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription with you in the event you lose or break a lens. Brazilian opticians have replacement contact lenses and/or can easily make a replacement lens or completely new pair of glasses for you.

* If you need to carry prescription medications with you, be sure that your name, the prescribing doctor's name, the dispensing phramacy/phramacist and other such information is on a sticker attached to the bottle or box of medication or carry your prescription with you. If you don't have the original prescription, carry a xerox copy of your prescription or a note from your doctor. This is to avoid any possibility of running afoul of Brazil laws.

* Numerous farmácias (pharmacies) or drogarias (drug stores) are located throughout Brazil. Many farmacêuticos (pharmacists) can help you with minor ailments and provide remédios (medicines) that can put you back on your feet. Of course, unless you stumble across an English speaking farmacêutico (pharmacist), this will be dependent upon the level of your Portuguese language skills. Many farmácias (pharmacies) specialize in homeopathic medicines.

* Don't confuse farmácias (pharmacies) and drogarias (drug stores). Farmácias (pharmacies) only dispense medicines while drogarias (drug stores) dispense medicines and stock almost every personal toiletry item you may want or need including well known international marcas (brands) such as Colgate, Close Up, Sensodyne, Oral-B, Listerine, Palmolive, Schick, Gilette, Johnson & Johnson, Nivea, L'Oréal and many others in addition to Brazilian brands.

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