Health

The health-care systems in Brazil is one of the best in the world. Though you should keep in mind that as with any journey, certain health and safety precautions do need to be considered.

Brazil has about 16,000 hospitals, clinics and local health centers where you can go and be attended to by one of Brazil's estimated 200,000 qualified physicians. Brazil also has some of the most advanced medical care available globally and some of the cheapest.

4-8 weeks before traveling you should visit your own doctor or a travel health clinic and make sure that you are up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and varicella (chicken-pox) immunizations.

Brazil is a tropical country and because of this nearly all of Brazil's potentially serious illnesses are carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. It is best to avoid mosquitoes, try not to use perfumes and after-shaves; use a mosquito net when you sleep (ideally this will also be impregnated with pyrethrum, a mosquito repellent); and also impregnate your clothes with pyrethrum. If practical and possible, wear light clothes with long sleeves and trousers.

Potential illnesses you may contract are:

Malaria

You can be infected with Malaria via mosquito bites. Symptoms of the illness are a fever, chills and sweating, headaches, diarrhea, and abdominal pains.

Although it is potentially fatal, Malaria can be avoided if you are willing to take preventative medication before, during, and after your journey. Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for forested areas within the nine states of the Legal Amazonia region, including Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belém), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and for urban areas within this region, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba.

Dengue fever

You can be infected with Dengue fever via mosquito bites during daylight hours. Symptoms of the illness are a high fever, headache, joint muscle pains, nausea and vomiting.

There is also a possibility of contracting a rash of red spots 3 to 4 days after the onset of the fever. You can avoid the illness by highly densely populated urban squalors. When you think you may have contracted Dengue fever, it is best to go to see a doctor and ask him to give you a blood test to confirm your suspicion.

Rabies

You can be infected with Rabies via infected animals. If you think you may have been infected, or if you have been bitten or licked by an animal unknown to you or anyone nearby, go to the hospital for a course of preventive injections.

Yellow fever

You can be infected with Yellow fever via mosquito bites. The symptoms of the illness are a mild fever that turns into a full-blown fever, headaches, muscle pains, abdominal pain and vomiting. Also kidney failure is a possibility.

Symptoms also include a jaundice yellow look about you with clear white eyes. The Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for all areas except Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, the central eastern area to the coast, and the coastal areas south of São Luís.

Hepatitus A

This vaccination is recommended for all travelers.

Hepatitus B

This vaccination is recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if you are going to stay more than 6 months.

Typhoid

This vaccination is recommended for travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels.

Food and water

It is also recommended that travelers drink bottled water. Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Also it is better to avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurized. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.