Chile is free of most illnesses that generally require vaccination. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines, however, are recommended if you want to be on the safe side.
Water
Tap water is generally safe to drink. If you have a sensitive stomach, it may take you sometime to get used to drinking water in rural areas where the water may not be filtered to the degree city water is. In this case, you may want to drink bottled water. Food is also safe, but make sure to wash foods and vegetables thoroughly. Think twice when eating raw seafood shellfish. As a precaution, try to avoid eating seafood during the summer.
Smog in Santiago
In the winter, the smog in Santiago can become a health risk especially in the winter months (June, July, August). The city declares "pre-emergency" or "emergency" states when the level of smog is dangerously high and takes measures to limit emissions. When the air quality is in pre-emergency or emergency state, children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems should avoid trips to downtown Santiago whenever possible. The Health Ministry may cancel physical education classes and recommend that children avoid outdoor activity during critical periods. Children are often vulnerable to respiratory illnesses when the air quality is low. The city of Temuco has recently increased its smog levels. Remember that most of Chile is virtually smog free!
Complications from air pollution may include cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing or chest pain. The risk may be minimized by staying indoors, avoiding outdoor exercise and drinking plenty of fluids.
Stray Dogs
There are a large number of stray dogs in Chile relative to other travel destinations any animal bite or scratch should be thoroughly cleaned with large amounts of soap and water. Stray dogs are usually very docile but should not be petted in case they have a disease. In addition, one should immediately contact the local health authority in case of the possible need for post-exposure treatment.
Side note: Rabies pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for urgent evacuation to a suitable medical facility for additional treatment. Rather, it simplifies the additional treatment and also prolongs the period that you can safely delay before receiving post-exposure treatment
More Tips
- If you visit the Andes Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude. Altitude sickness may cause insomnia, headaches, difficulty breathing and nausea.
-It is suggested that tourists purchase some sort of travel insurance, especially if you are planning on doing some adventure tourism, like rafting, skiing, or mountain climbing!