Each and every country possesses its own unique magic and wonder, but the countries in South America truly run the gamut of the fantastic. Whatever it is you want from your travels you can get it somewhere in South America. From beautiful serene sandy beaches to ragged jaggy mountainous peaks, this continent has it all. The terrain, the people, and the food are all fantastic but like other places in the world, there is danger to face. Whether it is the common street criminal or the devastating microbe of the dreaded and infamous yellow fever, protection is needed—it's just a fact of life. Taking precautions—including knowing the towns not to venture into and/or the solid protection of a immunization against indigenous diseases—will make your adventure one to cherish for a lifetime.

In these day of economic hardship adventure and thrilling times are hard to come by. Many things this fun and exciting is going to cost money. Traveling to South America is not cheap, but the money you do spend in South America will get you a lot more of whatever it is you're looking for. The fact is that the dollar is supreme in this part of the world and the locals will lavish upon you and your companions the best of the best as compared to other countries that are all too used to having gringos spend their dollars just to take in a museum or see a famous site. All you need is the peace of mind that yellow fever immunization will provide to make your journey a spectacular one.

Yellow fever, and other diseases that are basically conquered in the west, still wreak havoc in South America. Of all the things one can come home with from this part of the world, whether it be a conch shell or a beautifully weaved native blanket, yellow fever is the last thing you want as a souvenir. Yellow fever is an awesome illness that is potentially fatal in those who do not get proper medical attention. The symptoms of this disease include—but are not limited to—high fever, chills, vomiting and a yellowing of the skin (hence its name) called jaundice. Jaundice is a symptom of liver failure that is characteristic of the type of devastation that yellow fever causes. A immunization protects against all these symptoms and keeps you safe from the dangers associated with them.

We in the United States have controlled outbreaks of this disease through higher living standards, clean water, insect population control, and the immunization. The yellow fever immunization can only be administered by a certified travel doctor like the type you would find at a professional travel clinic. Regarding all those that travel, it is recommended that anyone over one year of age receive the immunization to protect them from becoming infected. Several countries in the world will not allow entry across their borders without the proper medical paperwork assuring the agents that a yellow fever immunization has been administered. A travel clinic can and will provide this paperwork to anyone traveling to any of these countries.

There are several exceptions to this law. Anyone with an already compromised immune system is allowed to travel without receiving the travel shots. This includes individuals with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and certain forms of cancer. For everyone else a yellow fever immunization is makes the best sense.