Guatemala
Avoid dental treatment in Guatemala as the standards of care and hygiene cannot be guaranteed, with the possible exception of Guatemala City where there are some American trained dentists now practicing.
Some international medication is available from the larger pharmacies.
Screening is inconsistent in Guatemala, therefore blood supplies should be considered as unsafe
A full range of medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside the city is limited. Guatemala’s public hospitals have experienced serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment. Care in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors.
Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Flowers and dense greenery in most of the country, as well as the pollution problems of downtown Guatemala City, aggravate hay fever, asthma and allergies. Bronchial and pulmonary problems are common.
Altitude in Guatemala City (5,000 ft. - 1,500 meters) may cause temporary drowsiness, palpitations, lack of energy, shortness of breath or mild headaches. Also, sunburn will occur more easily at high altitudes.
Cholera: Although limited in effectiveness, vaccination may be appropriate for persons living and/or working in less than sanitary conditions for more than 3 months where medical facilities are unavailable. Vaccination may also be appropriate for travelers with impaired gastric defenses who are planning an extended visit or being exposed to unsanitary conditions. Vaccination is not advised for pregnant women, infants younger than 6 months old, or persons with a history of severe reaction to the vaccine.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population).
Rabies: Preexposure vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available.
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness:
Dengue fever - occurs
Dengue hemorrhagic fever - occurs
Encephalitis (Venezuelan equine) - occurs
Leishmaniasis - occurs
Malaria - common
Onchocerciasis (river blindness) - occurs
Trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: diseases, including amoebic and bacillary dysenteries and other diarrheal diseases, and the typhoid fevers are very common throughout the area. Many shigella dysenteria type I infections have been caused by drug-resistant enterobacteria.
Brucellosis - occurs
Cholera - occurs
Helminthic (parasitic worm) infections - common
Hepatitis - occurs
Other hazards:
Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported.
Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
Rabies - prevalent (usually dogs and bats)
AIDS: According to the Department of State, testing is required for persons planning to apply for retiree status. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact Guatemala's embassy for details.
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from countries with infected areas.
