DISEASES

PUNA OR ALTITUDE SICKNESS : In the Andes Mountains of Argentina (over 10,000 feet) , the lack of oxygen could bring, in some cases, serious problems on the body, Altitude Sickness (Soroche de Puna), may cause nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, sleeplessness and other symptoms in some people. If you feel some of this symptoms, you can drink plenty of water, take ibuprofen, aspirin and keep of sleeping pills and alcohol, if the discomfort continues, descend in altitude to prevent the advance of acute mountain sickness.

SUNBURN OR SUNSTROKE : Sunburn is the major cause of suffering to travellers, summer sun is strong in Buenos Aires. Sunburn is more likely when the light is also 'reflected' from water, white sand or snow and higher elevation. In southern South America the hole in the ozone layer, bring health problems among citizens who live there. If you want visit Patagonia, keep in mind the "red alert" days between Sept-Nov, prevention is the best defense, so be sure to include the following items:

Hat
Lightweight cotton clothing.
100% ultra violet glasses.
Sunblock SPF 15 or higher.
Umbrella.
Portable fans.
Portable water bottles.

FOOD AND WATERBORNE DISEASES : More visitors consider that food and water are safe in Buenos Aires. Although, be careful, avoid buy street food, because it is relatively easy to become contaminated, when you are entering less populated areas, its better for you drink bottled water. Make sure your drink and your food are safe.

Food and water-borne diseases are one of the primary cause of illness in travelers (all around the world), this disease, include diarrhea, vomiting (typhoid fever, cholera, and parasites), liver damage(hepatitis).

MALARIA : Malaria is a serious disease caused by a protozoan parasite in the red blood cells, called plasmodium or Laveran Hematozzon, humans get malaria from the bite of the anopheles mosquito which dwells in humid areas, this sickness causes fever, following a rhythmic tertian or quartan fever and anemia. In Argentina, you are at risk for malaria only in rural areas of northern Argentina near Bolivian and Paraguayan Border (Salta and Jujuy Provinces).

The travellers at risk for malaria, should take a prescribed antimalarial drug and protect themselves against mosquito bites, decreasing exposure to malaria-carrying mosquitoes, these mosquitoes hurt principally during the evening and night.

DENGUE : Since January 2007, an outbreak of dengue fever has been reported in Paraguay, also, case have been reported in the northern Argentine provinces close to Paraguay (Corrientes, Misiones and Formosa), there is no vaccine against dengue fever, the only way to avoid Dengue is by preventing Aedes aegypti mosquito bites, which transmits the virus, this mosquito is most active during daylight hours, there is no direct person-to-person transmission.

Signs and symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, produces a skin rash all over the body three to four days after the onset of fever. Please take advice and minimise exposure to mosquito bites using repellents when travelling to northern Argentina.

CHOLERA : Some outbreaks of this illness have appeared in Argentine border with Bolivia, be careful when visit this region, anyway, the risk of infection to travelers in very low, if those stay in standard accommodations, eat cooked food, drink boiled water, bottled carbonated water, or bottled carbonated soft drinks, when travel to this part of Argentina.

Symptoms include continuous and liquid diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, cramps and weakness, if you contract Cholera, go directly to the nearest hospital and try to avoid dehydration.

YELLOW FEVER : There is low risk of yellow fever infection in Argentina, it rarely occurs in the northeastern forest areas, the easiest way to prevent this disease is get a yellow fever vaccination and a signed certificated (the vaccine is not recommended for pregnant persons and children under 9 months of age), also travelers should protect themselves from mosquito bites, These mosquito bite mainly in morning hours and evenings. A certificate of vaccination may be required if you have traveled to endemic areas in South or Central America, Trinidad & Tobago, or sub-Saharan Africa, the Certificate is good for 10 years. You must take the certificate with you.

� Medical Resouces For Travellers

� Medical Treatmeant