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Travel Medicine (Expert Forum)
Costa Rica
Answered by
Philip Parks, MD - Occupational Safety, Occupational Health, Travel Medicine, Environmental Health
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston - MA
Questions in the Travel Medicine forum are answered by Dr. Philip D Parks, affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health. Topics covered include disease prevention, finding a doctor abroad, food and water safety, illness and injury abroad, mosquito and tick protection, resources for travelers, traveling with children or pets, traveling with special needs, vaccinations and immunizations.
Costa Rica
by lhn, Feb 28, 2008 10:09PM
We have firmed up plans to visit Costa Rica for ten days this coming December. The group will include my 75 year old (very fit) parents, middle aged adults, teenagers and one 6 year old. The kids are up to date on the vaccines required for school and the adults had vacs as kids and some boosters probably. Any thoughts on additional precautions to take? Should the adults get boosters for any specific vacs? Should we be concerned about insect borne diseases? Any advice or "heads up" would be appreciated. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Philip Parks, MD, Mar 01, 2008 11:28AM
, Mar 01, 2008 11:28AM
To: Ihn
Hello.
First, I must congratulate you on thinking about your questions in advance of your trip that you have planned for December.
Before I answer, can you tell me more about where in Costa Rica that you will be traveling and if you will be taking excursions into other areas?
The travel advice for Costa Rica (especially with regard to Malaria) is dependent upon where you will be traveling. For example, malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the provinces of Alajuela, Limon (except for Limon City), Guanacaste, and Heredia.
All travelers in your group should be seen by a travel medicine specialist 4-8 weeks before you travel so that all can be advised on precautions and be administered the recommended vaccinations (with their own medical problems, age, and medications taken into consideration).
Usual vaccinations recommended for travel to Costa Rica:
1. Hepatitis A
2. Tetanus
3. Measles, Mumps, Rubella
4. Typhoid
5. Yellow Fever is NOT required for entry if you are traveling from the U.S. to Costa Rica. There is no Yellow Fever risk in Costa Rica.
Useful links:
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/mamerica_carib/costa_rica.html
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationCostaRica.aspx
I hope this is a helpful start to answering your question(s).
~•~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
First, I must congratulate you on thinking about your questions in advance of your trip that you have planned for December.
Before I answer, can you tell me more about where in Costa Rica that you will be traveling and if you will be taking excursions into other areas?
The travel advice for Costa Rica (especially with regard to Malaria) is dependent upon where you will be traveling. For example, malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the provinces of Alajuela, Limon (except for Limon City), Guanacaste, and Heredia.
All travelers in your group should be seen by a travel medicine specialist 4-8 weeks before you travel so that all can be advised on precautions and be administered the recommended vaccinations (with their own medical problems, age, and medications taken into consideration).
Usual vaccinations recommended for travel to Costa Rica:
1. Hepatitis A
2. Tetanus
3. Measles, Mumps, Rubella
4. Typhoid
5. Yellow Fever is NOT required for entry if you are traveling from the U.S. to Costa Rica. There is no Yellow Fever risk in Costa Rica.
Useful links:
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/mamerica_carib/costa_rica.html
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationCostaRica.aspx
I hope this is a helpful start to answering your question(s).
~•~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
