Researchers from the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing (EERP-USP) created a series of animations about Rocky Mountain spotted fever aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years.
The material – consisting of four initial episodes – is being made available free of charge and includes a manual for educators.
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This manual brings suggestions for activities in the classroom to make children aware of the importance of self-inspection after playing in risk areas. In these areas, they can come into contact with the star tick, which transmits the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, which causes Brazilian spotted fever.
The development of the material had the collaboration of specialists in pedagogy, psychology, language and child communication, aiming at an interdisciplinary approach. The production of the videos, lasting two minutes each, was financed by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). The manual for educators can be requested by e-mail: [email protected].
About Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious, acute febrile disease of fluctuating severity. It can range from mild and atypical clinical forms to severe forms, with a high lethality rate. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by a bacterium of the genus Rickettsia, transmitted by tick bites.
The main symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are: High and sudden fever; Headache; Conjunctival hyperemia; Muscle and joint pain; Malaise; Abdominal pain; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Rash.
To protect yourself against ticks and micuins, it is important to adopt some measures:
- When entering wooded areas, it is recommended to wear long, light clothing, preferably pants and shirts. It is also recommended to wear boots and place the bottom of the pants inside them, sealing with adhesive tape.
- Avoid walking in places known to be infested with ticks, and check regularly for ticks attached to the body every two hours.
- When removing a tick, avoid crushing it with your fingernails, as this can release bacteria that can infect small skin lesions.
- Do not try to pry the tick off using needles or hot sticks, as this can increase the chances of disease transmission.
- It is recommended to carefully remove the tick by gently twisting it so that its mouth is freed from the skin.
In addition, there are repellents with a higher concentration of DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which are effective against mosquitoes and ticks.
