I agree with you pockethead,
These are the most common diseases down there (I have found). I am not looking forward to these either but if it is going to save me from getting ill and having to keep up on it for the rest of my life I will get them done. The ones that I listed are the vaccinations that are most commonly needed. For me all of them matter because I am taking a year plus motorcycle trip from Colorado to the tip of Argentina. Maybe you are doing the same but I plan on being in remote areas that are high risk areas and for me all of them matter. I will be seeing a doctor Thursday so I will report back after that and give an approximate cost of all vaccinations.

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keep your front wheel ahead of your rear wheel
www.mototheworld.com

Cool thanks.

Update on the vaccinations. I saw a pretty cool doctor today. The only shots I "needed" and should be worried about are,
Yellow Fever
Typhoid
Hepatitis B
Prescription to Malaria 60 days worth, she said I can get more down there.
That is it. Dengue is another common disease down there with no cure yet. The mosquitos that are infected come out during the day and the only way to protect yourself is to use bug repellent with deet. She was very helpful and said there are many diseases out there but you really dont have to worry about them unless you are in certain remote areas. The whole visit with the consultaion was $375 The consultaion was $66. I hope this helps anyone who is curious about this portion off preping for their trip.

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keep your front wheel ahead of your rear wheel
www.mototheworld.com

Consider adding to the short list of required vaccinations a course of DUKORAL the effective oral vaccine against travellers diarrhea and cholera. You can get it at a pharmacy without prescription but may need to order it in , or get your doc to write a prescription for it .
I can vouch for its good working, haven't had one case of the trots since started using it a number of years ago for trips through Mexico and C.A.
Dukoral prevents you developing the diarrhea. Other medicine like loperamide hydrochloride ( Imodium brand name and others) go to work only after you are already dealing with the discomfort of the ailment, and they are quite strong working in your gut.
You never know when you might ingest some local bacteria.

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

I will be on the road in South America in 11 weeks, lots of time to get any shots I thought. Hep A is two shots six months apart. If you are going somewhere next year go see harpoon Anny and git-r-done.

Bob

Firstly, Hepatitis A and Typhoid can be avoided by watching what you eat and drink and by taking care over your personal hygiene habits. If treated, Typhoid is rarely fatal. Hep. A is untreatable with medication but other than in those aged over 60 or so, is also rarely fatal.

Hepatitis B is not prevalent in Central/South America, is spread by invasive contact with blood or body fluids. So don't share needles and use a condom with the local lads/lasses. I'd be more worried about STD's in general though.

Rabies; invariably fatal, but when was the last time you got bitten by a dog, monkey whatever? It's very likely that locals will take care of any "loco" animals before you meet them. It's not really an issue, as I see it.

Malaria, Yellow Fever and Dengue are human diseases spread by bites from some mosquitos, during or shortly after the rainy season. Proof of Yellow Fever immunisation is necessary for travel to Brasil and therefore unavoidable, should you intend to go there. However, prevention of mosquito bites is the first line of defence. Use of appropriately treated nets, sprays, electric coils, cintronella incense and perhaps even garlic, have their place. Making sure you are protected during dusk is the most important thing.

Dengue has no prophylaxis and the treatment consists of fluids and anti-febriles.

You can be bitten once and contract these diseases, you can be bitten many times and not.

As far as I am aware, the extremely serious stains of Cerebral Malaria are not found in the Americas.

With regard to Malaria, you are only really at risk when others in the area have the disease. That's hard to know when you are travelling rapidly and so is choosing the correct prophylaxis. Prophylaxis is not a guarantee of protection and an alternative is to hold back your medication for treatment in the event that you contract the disease.

There are only some parts of Central/South America where Malaria is an issue, so you need to consider your routes. Some areas of the coast and the Amazonas are where you are going to potentially encounter problems. Above 800 metres you will not encounter problems. Problem is; if you take the correct prophylaxis and rely on it, you are going to need to keep taking the medication regardless of your location.

Should you decide to use it, in South American affected areas, (North), the prophylaxis/treatment is:

Atovaquone/Proguanil, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine.

In Central America, Ecuador and Bolivia the prophylaxis/treatment is: Chloroquine/Proguanil.

We have discussed this here before, but let's not forget that there are potential side-effects and damage associated with this medication.

Personally, I prefer to have the treatment available, take precautions, regulate my lifestyle...and see what happens.

Just my view.

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How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda

Be aware that Brazil, which was the only South American country requiring yellow fever vaccinations, has been joined by Panama and Ecuador.

I entered Ecuador yesterday and there was a big sign at immigration stating that yellow fever vaccinations were required. However, they did not ask me for proof of vaccination. Your milage may vary.

Panama was to start requiring yellow fever shots beginning October 1. However, since so many people traveling from Panama needed the shots -- and the only clinic where they were available was swamped -- they delayed implementation until November.

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Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama