Travel to Argentina doesn't raise any major health worries and with a small dose of precaution and a handful of standard vaccinations (tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A) you are unlikely to encounter any serious problems. A bout of travellers' diarrhoea is the most you're likely to have to worry about as your body adjusts to local micro-organisms in the food and water. It's also best to ease yourself gently into the local diet - sudden quantities of red meat, red wine, strong coffee and sweet pastries can be very unsettling for a stomach used to gentler repasts - and though tap water in Argentina is generally safe to drink, if sometimes heavily chlorinated, you may prefer to err on the side of caution in rural areas in the north of the country
Pharmacies and medical treatment
Argentinian
pharmacies
are a very useful first port of call for help with minor medical problems; staff are usually able to offer simple diagnostic advice and will often help dress wounds. You'll find a wider ranger of products and medicines...
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Diseases
Though your chances of contracting any of the following diseases are very low, they are sufficiently serious that you should be aware of their existence and of measures you should take to avoid infection. For up-to-date information on current health risks...
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Puna or altitude sickness
Altitude sickness
is a potentially - if rarely - fatal condition encountered at anything over 2000m, but likeliest and most serious at altitudes of 4000m and above. It can cause severe difficulties - but a little preparation should help you avoid...
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Sunstroke and sunburn
You should take the sun very seriously in all of Argentina. The north of the country is one of the hottest regions of Latin America in summer -temperatures regularly hit the 40 degree mark and the extended siestas taken by locals are a wise precaution...
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Medical resources for travellers
USA
Centers for Disease Control
, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333 (tel 404/639-3311;
www.cdc.gov
). Publishes outbreak warnings, suggested inoculations, precautions and other background information for travellers.
...
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