Argentina: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients from Argentina for healthcare practitioners.
Main messages
If the patient is new to the UK:
- explain to them how the NHS works and their entitlements to healthcare
- discuss how this compares to the healthcare system they’ve been used to
- follow guidance on how to comprehensively assess new migrant patients
- ensure that they are up to date with the UK immunisation schedule
- ask about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin
There is a risk of typhoid infection in Argentina.
Ascertain any risk factors for hepatitis B infection that may indicate the need for screening, because Argentina has a low prevalence.
Be alert for possible cases of Chagas disease, and refer as appropriate, because there is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from Argentina.
The prevalence of HTLV is high.
Consider nutritional and metabolic concerns.
Infectious diseases
Immunisation
Ensure that all patients, especially children, are up to date with the UK immunisation schedule. See Immunisation collection with complete schedules.
Tuberculosis
There is a low incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Argentina (<40 cases/100,000), so:
- routine screening for TB is not required
- consider testing in patients (including children) who show signs and symptoms
- be aware that TB is a notifiable disease
Sexually transmitted infections and HIV
Take a sexual history, and:
- screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV according to risk as specified in the UK national standards and guidelines
- test all sexually active patients under the age of 25 for chlamydia
Argentina has a low rate of HIV (≤1%), so offer and recommend a HIV test if the patient:
- falls into a high-risk group
- is newly registering in a high prevalence area
HTLV
The prevalence of Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is high. Refer to further HTLV guidance about testing and treatment.
Hepatitis B
Argentina has a low prevalence of hepatitis B, so:
- offer screening for hepatitis B to all pregnant women during each pregnancy
- immunise appropriately babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive, and follow-up accordingly
- be aware that the UK has a universal infant immunisation programme for hepatitis B and a selective immunisation programme for higher-risk groups
Hepatitis C
Argentina has a higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK, so consider screening for hepatitis C if other risk factors apply.
Typhoid
There is a risk of typhoid infection in Argentina, so:
- ensure that travellers to Argentina are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fever
- remember enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of illness in patients with a recent history of travel to-or-from Argentina
Helminths
There is a risk of helminth infections in Argentina, including soil transmitted helminthiasis.
Chagas
There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from Argentina, so:
- be alert for possible cases
- refer as appropriate
Travel plans and advice
Ask opportunistically about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin. People who travel to visit friends and relatives (VFR travellers) should visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for overseas travel advice and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) for country specific travel advice prior to leaving the UK.
Nutritional and metabolic concerns
Anaemia
There is a low risk of anaemia in adults (estimated prevalence is 5% to 20%) and a moderate risk in pre-school children (estimated prevalence is 20% to 40%), so:
- be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children
- test as clinically indicated
Vitamin D
Consider the possibility of vitamin D deficiency in people who may be at risk due to:
- darker skin
- those who are not often outdoors
- those who cover up most of their skin when outdoors
Women’s health
Reproductive health indicators
| Reproductive health indicator | UK | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Number of children per woman¹ | 1.7 | 2.2 |
| Use of contraception² | 71.7% | 57.2% |
¹lifetime average
²by woman of reproductive age or partner
No data is available on:
- mammography screening rates
- cervical cancer screening rates
Country profile
Health indicators and health care
See WHO Global Health Observatory for a summary of health indicators and health care in Argentina.
Culture, politics and history
See BBC News and The World Factbook for background information on the culture, politics and history of Argentina.
Languages
The main languages used in Argentina are:
- Spanish (official)
- Italian
- English
- German
- French
- indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Source: The World Factbook
Find out about language interpreting and translation.
Religions
| Religion | Population (%) |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic¹ | 92% |
| Other | 4% |
| Protestant | 2% |
| Jewish | 2% |
¹nominal
Source: The World Factbook
Migration to the UK
There were over 7,000 people from Argentina living in the UK at the time of the 2001 Census.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Updates to this page
Published 31 July 2014Last updated 26 August 2021 + show all updates
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Removed one line of outdated guidance.
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Added HTLV guidance.
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Updated country guidance on prevalence of communicable diseases and other health topics.
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First published.