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Health Information

Health - Preparations before you travel

If sensible precautions are taken by the visitor to Peru, there is no reason why you shouldn't remain as healthy as at home.
1. Before you travel make sure that you take out good medical insurance. If you plan to undertake 'adventurous activities' such as rafting, horse riding or paragliding, make sure that your policy covers you. You may have to pay a small surcharge for this.
2. For advice on what immunizations that you require we recommend that you try ringing a specialist travel clinic (at least 6 weeks prior to travel).
Although not strictly necessary, you should, however, consider the following immunizations:

Yellow Fever (if going to the jungle)
Typhoid
Hepatitis A

Malaria prophylaxis are also recommended for the jungle, although nearly all of the jungle lodges in the Madre de Dios/Tambopata areas and Manu National Park state that there have been no reported cases of malaria, and that taking anti-malaria tablets are optional.

Health - Tips on staying healthy whilst traveling
The most common problem encountered by the traveler in Peru is diarrhea (between 30% and 50% of travelers in a 2 week stay experience this) but the majority of these upsets will be relatively minor. Don't become paranoid; trying the local food is part of the experience of travel.
Tap water in Peru is unsafe to drink. Always purify the water first by boiling it or adding purification tablets such as Micropure which can be easily bought in most pharmacies throughout Peru (make sure that you understand the instructions before using them). Bottled mineral water is readily available everywhere.
In most good restaurants, purified water is used to wash fruit, vegetables and salads. If in doubt ask.
Fruit in Peru is plentiful and delicious, but ensure that you wash it or peel it yourself.
Avoid undercooked and reheated foods.
Shellfish are a particularly high risk and so is ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime). They are all delicious, however, and should be safe in well-run hygienic establishments.
There are good doctors and reasonable hospitals in the major cities, but little in the way of good facilities away from the major centers.

Altitude Sickness
On reaching heights above 3000m, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a conditions known as Soroche (or acute mountain sickness) when one experiences headaches, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, insomnia and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop during the first 24 hours at altitude, but may be delayed up to 3 weeks. To prevent Soroche, on arrival don't over exert yourself. On arrival at your hotel have a rest for a while. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy food. Drinking mate de coca (an infusion of coca leaves - and perfectly legal in Peru) may help. If symptoms become more severe and prolonged it is best to quickly seek medical attention and make arrangements to descend to a lower altitude. On recovery one can reascend slowly or in stages.

Health - When you return home
Report an symptoms to your doctor and say exactly where you've been. If taking anti-malarial tablets, remember to keep taking them for 6 weeks after leaving the malarial areas.
Note. The above information and advice on HEALTH is give in good faith. Andean Life Tour Operator cannot accept responsibility for accuracy of information provided. In issues regarding your health it is always best to consult a specialist.

Useful Travel Information: Booking Flights / Weather / Health / Machu Picchu / Choquequirao / Hotels / About Cusco / About Peru

KeyWord Reference:

Malaria prophylaxis, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Altitude Sickness, Machu Picchu Health..

Andean Life Tour Operator

Main Office N° 1 : Calle Santa Teresa 381, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Office N° 2 : Calle Plateros 372, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
(Both ones located just half block from the main square of Cusco City)
Fax Telephone: 00-51-84-261269
Emergency Mobil Phone: 00-51-84-9673544

Licensed Inca Trail tour operator, specialists in trekking in the Andes (Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and other treks)
©Andean Life 1999 - 2005. All material within this web site is original work and subject to national and international copyright laws and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

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