Chile

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Chile 🇨🇱

Chile is a country of striking contrasts, from the bustling streets of Santiago to the icy landscapes of Patagonia. Visitors can explore the colorful hills of Valparaíso, the vast Atacama Desert, and the stunning fjords in the south. Whether you’re hiking through Torres del Paine or wandering the wine regions, there’s something for every traveler.

While Chile’s major cities have good medical services, rural and remote areas may have limited care. In smaller towns, clinics may lack essential supplies and staff, making it important to plan ahead. Staying prepared with health insurance, travel vaccines and basic health precautions is recommended.

Travel Immunizations for Chile

What vaccines do I need for Chile? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and causes chronic infection and liver cancer.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when traveling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash, fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat, red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies

Rabies is a devastating viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Typhoid vaccine is available in both injectable and oral forms and provides protection against typhoid fever.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Chile Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler’s diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (e.g. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.
Azithromycin, the first-line antibiotic against travelers diarrhea, is available by prescription for self-treatment if symptoms develop. This can be obtained in your Travel Medicine consultation.

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease): Caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The initial infection may start with no symptoms or as flu-like symptoms and eyelid swelling. The infection can then become inactive for decades, but people can eventually develop digestive and heart complications and in more severe cases; death. Risk is generally low for most travelers.

Altitude Illness

Travelers expecting a rapid ascent to sleeping altitudes over 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) should consider using acetazolamide for altitude sickness prevention. For example, climbers tackling Ojos del Salado ascend to 6,890 meters (22,600 feet), and several mining sites in the Andes are also situated above 2,800 meters.

AMS: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) typically occurs when ascending to high altitudes too quickly. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms usually begin within hours of arrival at altitude and can range from mild to severe.
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a life-threatening condition caused by swelling of the brain due to rapid ascent to high altitudes. It often begins with worsening symptoms of acute mountain sickness, such as severe headache, confusion, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking. If untreated, HACE can progress quickly to coma or death. Immediate descent and medical treatment are critical.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious and potentially fatal condition where fluid builds up in the lungs due to high altitude. It typically develops after rapid ascent and may cause symptoms like shortness of breath at rest, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, and a persistent cough, often producing frothy or pink sputum. Immediate descent and medical intervention are essential for recovery.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Chile

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine (e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Chile

Healthcare in Chile is limited, especially outside of Managua. Public facilities often lack supplies and trained staff, and private care is mostly available only in the capital and can be expensive.
Emergency services are unreliable, with ambulances offering only basic first aid and transport. English-speaking doctors may be hard to find.
Travel insurance with coverage for hospital stays and evacuation is strongly recommended.

Consular Assistance Chile

Santiago - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Nueva Tajamar 481, Torre Norte, 12th Floor, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

Telephone: (56) 2-2652-3800

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/chile-chili/santiago.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency Services

In case of emergency, dial:

131 for emergency medical services
132 for fire
133 for police

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Brought to you by a team of trusted healthcare professionals

We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

Dr. Sam Gutman

CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

Dr. Shaan Pawa

Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

Kristyna Sorensen

Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN