About Volunteer Challenge Bolivia - Health

Vaccinations
It is advisable before traveling to Bolivia that you get vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, polio, and malaria in certain regions. There are medical services available in each city of each region.

Water
It is preferable to drink only bottled or boiled water in Bolivia.

Food
Avoid eating food sold on the street. You should also ensure that the shellfish and seafood is fresh and try to eat them cooked. Bolivian food is varied and exquisite, and the best and safest food is found in restaurants. Tourists coming from countries in those that cases of yellow fever have been reported, should present a vaccination certificate to enter Bolivia. That is the only immunization document that is requested, but, you, for caution, should consult with your doctor and, if find it necessary, be vaccinated against the hepatitis A, the cholera or the tetanus.

The illness that more frequently affects to the travelers is the light diarrhea. To slip away of this annoying malaise, you can take some precautions:

  • Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid consuming it directly of the faucet.
  • Do not eat raw vegetables or milky products, as cheese, yogurt and milk, ice or ice creams of doubtful origin, because they could be made with faucet water.
  • Wash your hands before ingesting your foods

In the event of being victim of this illness, it is recommended to drink many liquids with re-hydrating salts and to rest. If consider it necessary, go to the nearest medical center. Another recurrent illness in the cities of the highland, is the called soroche or altitude sickness, that is usually accompanied with headaches, nauseas and a decrease of the arterial pressure. Although there is not an completely effective way to avoid it, the visitor should follow these advices:

  • During the first 24 hours, don't carry out long walks or carry heavy suitcases or backpacks.
  • Try not to get tired too much in the first day. Rest and avoid heavy foods and alcohol, because the digestion process is longer in the cities of height

Medical insurance
It is recommendable -before undertaking your trip through Bolivian lands- to hire a medical insurance in your origin country. This way you will be protected in case any emergency occurred

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