Transmission diseases in Florianopolis: How English-speaking doctors can help foreign visitors

Healthcare and online medical assistance in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina

Transmission diseases in Florianopolis & Santa Catarina

One of the diseases currently being monitored in Florianopolis is dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness. According to the epidemiological bulletin for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue fever, Florianopolis is considered a high-risk area for transmission. In 2023, from January 1 to 21, Santa Catarina state has already reported 1.011 suspected cases of dengue fever, with 37 cases confirmed. Of the confirmed cases, 22 were locally transmitted, indicating that the virus is circulating within the state.

Another disease of concern is meningococcal disease, which has already caused six deaths in the first two months of 2023 in Santa Catarina. Of the 67 cases of meningitis reported on the beggining of this year, 50% were caused by meningitis tuberculosis, followed by 33% by pneumococcal meningitis, and 20% by bacterial meningitis.

Influenza is also present in the area, accordingly with Epidemiological Surveillance of Santa Catarina State 78 cases were reported in 2023, including eight fatalities.

Finally, monkeypox has been detected in the state of Santa Catarina since July 2022, with 177 confirmed cases in Florianopolis. As monkeypox can be transmitted on sexual contacts, it is also valid to remember the importance of preventing STDs and HIV in Florianopolis. It involves practicing safe sex by using condoms, and seeking medical attention promptly if you suspect you may have contracted an STD. Teleconsultation is a convenient option for STDs and we can offer same day appointments if you need it.

Additionally, there has been an increase in acute diarrheal disease (ADD) in Florianopolis since December 2022. Several samples were taken from patients who visited the beaches of Canasvieiras and Ingleses and on an Epidemiological ADD Surveillance 11 positive cases for human Norovirus and three for Rotavirus were reported. None of the cases were identified with hepatitis A virus.

In 2023, according to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance of the municipality, 9,757 cases of diarrheal diseases were recorded in two public health units in Florianopolis that serve as sentinel units for observation.

Preventing diarrhea and foodborne illnesses in Florianopolis requires taking certain precautions. Some of these include washing your hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the restroom, avoiding eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood, and ensuring that your food is properly cooked and stored. It is also advisable to drink bottled or boiled water and avoid drinking tap water or ice made from tap water.

Teleconsultation and infectious diseases

Doctors may find it challenging to diagnose certain diseases because they can present with similar symptoms, especially if they are not up-to-date on the current epidemiological situation or outbreaks in the area where the patient is located, which can be an important piece of the puzzle on a clinical evaluation like that. This is particularly true for physicians from highly developed countries where some of these diseases are rare, and they may not have experience with patients who have them. It can also be difficult to manage symptoms, prescribe drugs with digital certification, and locate specific lab exams. On the other hand, seeking medical attention from local health services can be challenging if the doctor cannot understand entirely your symptoms or speak English clearly.

Fortunately, My Brazilian Doctor now offers teleconsultation services for foreigners to facilitate access to a local English-speaking doctor. This is a convenient way to consult with a physician registered in Brazil who is knowledgeable about the epidemiological situation and has experience treating tropical diseases. Finding an English-speaking doctor can be a problem even for expats residing in Florianopolis.

A doctor registered in Brazil can prescribe locally available drugs and request labs or even make appropriate referrals to hospitals in case of a need for in-person intervention. An experienced physician who understands your symptoms' details and can communicate with you in English is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Telemedicine is an excellent tool for diagnosing, prescribing, and referring patients to local hospitals to avoid misunderstandings. The doctor can provide a clear referral in Portuguese that communicates your symptoms and a diagnostic hypothesis, facilitating appropriate treatment by hospital staff.

Teleconsultation offers several benefits, including the ability to receive medical attention from the comfort of your home or hotel, without the need to travel to a clinic or hospital, which can be time-consuming and stressful, particularly when feeling unwell. Additionally, you can avoid exposure to other viral diseases that you may exposed in a waiting room.

You can also have an individualized health check-up consultation with My Brazilian Doctor's telemedicine service, which is less time and cost-consuming than traditional face-to-face consultations.

Distances and traffic in Florianopolis

Communing to a hospital in Florianopolis can be challenging, especially from some parts of the island. The distances between some neighborhoods and hospitals can be significant, and heavy traffic can cause delays and inconvenience, especially during peak tourist season. The city have a good number of public health centres and also some private hospitals, but it can have long waiting times since the local population is also huge and it is not very likely you can find doctors and staff who speaks english.

As Florianopolis is a popular destination for tourists, the island can get crowded, making transportation to hospitals inconvenient. However, with teleconsultation now available, foreigners who find themselves in Florianopolis can have access to medical care for common diseases  in english with a local doctor without having to leave their accommodation, making it a more convenient and efficient option for medical consultation and to have a digital prescription valid in Brazil.