Traveling to Costa Rica from the US in 2 weeks?

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buckinfun

quoted from: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationCostaRica.aspx

"Before visiting Costa Rica, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)

To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4â€“6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.

Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.

If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study abroad, may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or school.

Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Costa Rica, the government requires travelers arriving from certain countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. If you will be traveling to one of these countries where yellow fever is present before arriving in Costa Rica, this requirement must be taken into consideration. See Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country for more information.

Hondu

No, it is not necessary for you to have any vaccinations to visit CR. You may want to start an anti malarial prophylaxis before you leave if you are only going to be there a short time. Many doctors maintain that taking the malaria drugs for more than a month or so can be harder on you than the disease. There is no vaccine for malaria. Any of the other vaccinations are for your peace of mind only, not because they are required. Talk to your doctor and make your own decision.

courtlyn_01

Before I visited CR for the first time I looked everything up and got a load of vaccinations (mind you I was a teenager on exchange with a worried mom). I was also given malaria pills to take every week while I was down there. I was told while I was down there that there isn't really any malaria down there and there really isn't anything to worry about. You will be fine. Enjoy your trip and don't worry about it. Pura Vida!

Oh I recommend you take an emergency kit of tylenol and anything else you mat normally needs simply because the phamracies are the only place to buy those items and they are not open when you need them it seems!

Kristina L

Only if you are planning on hiking in secluded places of Limon or up near the Nicaraguan border. Other than that, you don't need to get vaccinated. Dengue Fever is a bit bigger concern than Malaria, but there isn't a vaccination for it. The best way to prevent both is to wear bug spray and put it on liberally.

I never get vaccinations for CR and so far so good!

Here is the site that I always refer to when I'm getting ready to go back down. http://www.therealcostarica.com/health_education_costa_rica/disease_costa_rica.html

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