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A few months ago I received an email from a reader who has lupus and wants to travel through South America but cannot receive the Yellow Fever vaccine. As someone who has traveled through South America with Lupus in Yellow Fever high-risk areas, here is what my experience was like.
If you don’t know, Yellow Fever is a (deadly) viral disease spread by mosquitos and is most often found in tropical South American and Sub-Sahara African areas. Travelers get the Yellow Fever vaccine as a preventative measure and as a requirement to enter some countries or regions.
Unfortunately, the vaccine isn’t recommended for individuals with compromised immune systems, so autoimmune disease carriers are generally unable to receive preventative treatment.
areas at risk for Yellow Fever in South America
countries at risk of Yellow Fever in South America
Asterisks (*) indicate that there is only risk in certain areas of that country
- Argentina*
- Bolivia*
- Brazil*
- Colombia*
- Ecuador*
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Panama*
- Paraguay
- Peru*
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago*
- Venezuela*
Was I able to travel with lupus in yellow fever high-risk areas?
Truth is, I actually got the Yellow Fever vaccine!
Even if you may be potentially immunocompromised, it is possible for some people to receive it despite having an autoimmune disease. BUT, your doctor is the one to determine that and there are certain stars that might need to align in order for it to happen.
For the past two or three years, I’ve been really good at (and lucky with) with controlling my lupus and my blood tests have consistently shown good numbers across the board. That means every time I did labs (3-6 months) my disease showed more and more inactivity. This took a few years to get there.
When it was time to go to South America, I consulted with my lupus doctor and a travel vaccine specialist and they both agreed my lupus had been stable enough to move forward with a vaccine. The shot was painful and I was sick for about a week afterward with cold symptoms and extreme fatigue. After that, I was good as new and covered for the next 10 years.
Can anyone get a yellow fever vaccine?
Not every one qualifies to get a yellow fever vaccine but I recommend you keep asking about it. Years before, I didn’t qualify and then suddenly I did.
I know this doesn’t help those who can’t get it at all, but it should provide some hope. At one point in my life, my lupus was flaring up so often that I couldn’t even go outside. Now I am being approved for Yellow Fever vaccines.
My doctor’s confidence made me feel good and their experience, expertise, and clear communication made me feel secure with the decision. I always, always refer to a doctor before putting anything in my body (except for junk food, which is probably the worst of it all). That means vaccines, supplements, beauty services, dental work, and even basic vitamins.
And even with the yellow fever vaccine, I am still conscious about the locations I go to. For instance, I do not take malaria pills — which is another big risk in these areas. So I mostly avoid jungle areas and did not go to the Amazon when in South America.
Can You travel without the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
If you further research the areas you want to visit (the CDC is super helpful), you’ll find there are plenty of countries you can explore without having a Yellow Fever vaccination.
I visited Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Bolivia and only Bolivia asked to even see my Yellow Fever vaccination sticker/immunization card at the border. I stuck to high-elevation destinations, small towns, large cities, and low-risk areas and had an amazing time.
Hope this helps! Keep exploring.
xx
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