Who this service is for
This travel health consultation is indicated for:
Brazilians who are going to travel
- International trips to destinations with specific risks — Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and others
- Trips to risk regions within Brazil — the Amazon, the Pantanal, endemic areas of yellow fever and malaria
- Travelers with pre-existing health conditions — diabetes, hypertension, immunosuppression — who need specific travel guidance
- Pregnant women who are going to travel — guidance on safe destinations and specific care
- Children who are going to travel — pediatric travel health guidance
Foreigners and expats newly arrived in Brazil
- Guidance on Brazil’s specific health risks — dengue, yellow fever, Zika, malaria in the Northern region, leptospirosis
- Vaccination assessment — which vaccines to take before or after arrival in Brazil
- Guidance on how to navigate the Brazilian healthcare system in case of illness
Returning travelers
- Fever, diarrhea, rash, or other symptoms after returning from international travel or from risk regions within Brazil
- Assessment of symptoms compatible with dengue, malaria, typhoid fever, or other travel-related diseases
What is included in the consultation
Traveler profile assessment
The doctor assesses the destination, type of trip, duration, itinerary, accommodation conditions, and planned activities — because the risk for a backpacker in the Amazon is completely different from the risk for an executive in a business hotel in São Paulo.
Vaccination guidance
The doctor advises on the recommended and required vaccines for the destination — including which ones need to be taken in advance and where to get them in Brazil. Vaccine administrations require in-person attendance at health posts or authorized vaccination clinics — the doctor issues the indication and advises where to go.
Medication prophylaxis — at the physician's discretion
For destinations with a malaria risk, the doctor assesses the need for medication prophylaxis and issues an electronic prescription when clinically indicated. The choice of antimalarial depends on the specific destination — areas with chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum require different medication.
Travel health kit
The doctor advises on essential medications to carry in your luggage — pain relievers, antidiarrheals, oral rehydration solution, repellent, sunscreen, and other items specific to the destination.
Guidance on care at the destination
Safe water and food, prevention of insect bites, sun protection, hygiene at the destination, and what to do if you become ill during the trip.
Assessment of symptoms upon return
For travelers with symptoms after returning from risk destinations — fever, diarrhea, rash — the doctor assesses the symptoms, advises on the likelihood of tropical disease, and refers for urgent in-person evaluation when indicated.
Travel-related diseases in Brazil — what you need to know
Dengue
Brazil is one of the countries with the highest burden of dengue in the world. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and is endemic in practically the entire national territory — with peaks in the summer (December to April). There is no medication prophylaxis for dengue — prevention is with repellent, long clothing, and elimination of breeding sites. The dengue vaccine (Qdenga) is available in Brazil for people between 4 and 60 years old — the doctor advises on indication and where to vaccinate.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is endemic in parts of Brazil — especially in the Northern, Central-Western, and parts of the Southeastern and Southern regions. The vaccine is free in the SUS and mandatory for travelers going to risk areas within Brazil and for several countries that require the International Certificate of Vaccination. The yellow fever vaccine and the International Certificate of Vaccination cannot be obtained via telemedicine — they require in-person attendance at an authorized vaccination post. The doctor advises where to get the vaccine and how far in advance.
Malaria
Malaria is endemic in the Amazon region of Brazil — especially in the states of Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Acre, Amapá, Roraima, Tocantins, and Mato Grosso. For travelers going to these regions, medication prophylaxis may be indicated depending on the specific itinerary.
Zika
The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and circulates in Brazil. The risk is especially important for pregnant women — Zika infection during pregnancy is associated with microcephaly and other fetal complications. Pregnant women should avoid areas with active Zika circulation when possible.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is transmitted by water and soil contaminated with rodent urine — with increased risk during rainy periods and floods. The risk is greater in urban areas with poor sanitation during the summer.
Leishmaniasis
Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in several regions of Brazil. Transmitted by sand flies — small insects — prevention is with repellent and physical protection.
Travel health for foreigners and expats in Brazil
For foreigners newly arrived in Brazil — especially those coming from Europe, North America or Oceania — the tropical health context is completely different from what they were used to. Diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and leptospirosis simply do not exist in these countries, and many expats arrive in Brazil without any guidance on the local risks.
This consultation provides guidance on:
What to expect in Brazil in terms of health
- Dengue — how to recognize the symptoms, when to seek care, what to do if suspected
- Yellow fever — if you are going to risk areas, you need the vaccine before you go
- Water and food — what is safe to consume, where to be more careful
- Brazilian healthcare system — how the private system works, where to go in case of an emergency, how international health insurance works in Brazil
Vaccination before entering Brazil
Depending on where you are coming from and which part of Brazil you are going to, some vaccines may be recommended before arrival — especially yellow fever for those going to risk areas. The doctor advises based on your specific itinerary.
Symptoms after arrival in Brazil
Fever in the first days or weeks after arrival in Brazil — especially accompanied by pain behind the eyes, severe muscle pain, rash or bleeding — may be dengue. The doctor assesses the symptoms and advises on the next steps.
Travel health for pregnant women
Pregnant women have special considerations in travel health that require individualized assessment:
- Destinations to avoid — destinations with active Zika circulation should be avoided during pregnancy. High-altitude regions can be problematic in the third trimester
- Vaccines during pregnancy — most live-virus vaccines — including yellow fever — are contraindicated during pregnancy except in situations of very high risk. The doctor assesses each case individually
- Malaria prophylaxis in pregnancy — some antimalarials are contraindicated during pregnancy. The doctor advises on the safe options when travel to a risk area is unavoidable
- Air travel — guidance on compression and deep vein thrombosis during long flights in pregnancy
