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Although there are no
compulsory vaccinations required to enter the country, certain
precautions should be taken, certainly if you're staying for any
length of time or visiting the more remote regions. Taking out
travel insurance is vital, and you should take all possible
precautions to guard against AIDS, a major worry in Brazil
Most standard drugs are available in pharmacies, farmácias, which
you'll find everywhere - no prescriptions are necessary. A pharmacy
will also give injections (you need a tetanus jab if you get bitten
by a dog) and free medical advice, and they're a good first line of
defence if you fall ill.
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Emergency phone numbers vary from place to place, but you'll always
find them listed in phone boxes - look for Bombeiros or Polícia
Civil.
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If you are unlucky enough to need medical treatment in Brazil,
forget about the public hospitals - as a foreigner you have
virtually no chance of getting a bed unless you have an infectious
disease, and the level of health care offered by most is appalling.
You can get reasonably good medical and dental care privately: North
Americans will think it fairly inexpensive, Europeans used to
state-subsidized health care will not. A doctor's visit will cost on
average US$35-50; drugs are relatively cheap. Local tourist offices
and smart hotels in big cities will have lists of English-, French-
and German-speaking doctors ; ask for a médico. Outside the larger
centres, you will probably have to try out your Portuguese. If a
medical emergency occurs in an out-of-the-way location, there's an
excellent air ambulance service (tel 011/5506-0606, fax 846-8689)
that guarantees collection anywhere in the country within 24 hours
of calling. If considering this option be sure to contact your
travel insurance company before phoning for a plane.
Many diseases are directly or indirectly related to impure water and
contaminated food , and care should be taken over what you eat and
drink.
With a little common sense, it's quite easy to establish whether
food is fresh or not, and always ensure that it's properly cooked.
Special caution should be taken with seafood, especially shellfish -
don't eat anything that's at all suspicious. Fruit and salad
ingredients should be washed in bottled or purified water or,
preferably, peeled. Ultimately you are going to run some risks with
food, so if you're going to enjoy your stay to the full, there's no
sense in being too paranoid.
Even in the most remote towns and villages mineral water ( água
mineral), either sparkling ( com gás) or still ( sem gás), is easily
available and cheap. To avoid dehydration be sure to drink plenty of
non-alcoholic liquids, always carry a bottle of water on long trips
and check that the seal on any bottled water you use is intact.
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As with food, it's difficult to be on guard all the time; fruit
juices are more often than not diluted, at best with only filtered
water, and while it is wise to avoid ice in general this is
well-nigh impossible
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Brazil
guide
Brazil
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