Tropical Disease Prevention Honor

Science & Health

Requirements

  1. Answer the following questions:
    • What are tropical diseases?
    • List at least 5 tropical diseases common in your region.

    Answer: 1) Tropical diseases are those that occur most frequently in regions with a hot and humid climate (tropical and subtropical), favored by the heat, the humidity, and the presence of vectors such as mosquitoes and insects. 2) Five common tropical diseases in Brazil: dengue, zika, chikungunya, malaria, and yellow fever (depending on the region, also leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and schistosomiasis). — Knowing what tropical diseases are and which are the main ones in your region is the first step to preventing them.

  2. Research and explain the following diseases, giving: transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment, and how to prevent and fight them:
    • Malaria
    • Yellow fever
    • Leishmaniasis
    • Dengue
    • Chagas disease

    Answer: 1) Dengue: transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms: high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, red spots on the skin; warning signs: intense abdominal pain, bleeding, vomiting. Treatment: there is no specific medicine — rest, hydration, and fever control (avoid ASA/anti-inflammatories); severe cases require a hospital. Prevention/control: eliminate breeding sites (standing water), use repellent, screens, and clothing that covers the body. 2) Zika: also transmitted by Aedes aegypti (and sexually and from mother to baby). Symptoms: low fever, itchy skin spots, red eyes, joint pain — usually mild; risk of microcephaly in babies of infected pregnant women. Treatment: symptomatic (rest, hydration, analgesic). Prevention/control: fight the mosquito, protect pregnant women, use repellent and condoms. 3) Chikungunya: transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Symptoms: high fever of sudden onset and strong, persistent joint pain (which can last for months), as well as spots and headache. Treatment: symptomatic (analgesics, hydration, rest). Prevention/control: eliminate breeding sites and use repellent. 4) Malaria: transmitted by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito infected with the protozoan Plasmodium. Symptoms: high fever in bouts, chills, intense sweating, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Treatment: specific antimalarial medications, free through the SUS, depending on the type of Plasmodium. Prevention/control: a mosquito net (preferably treated), repellent, screens, and mosquito control, mainly in the Amazon. 5) Yellow fever: transmitted by mosquitoes (Haemagogus and Sabethes in the sylvatic cycle; Aedes aegypti in the urban cycle). Symptoms: fever, chills, headache and muscle pain, nausea; severe cases progress with jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), bleeding, and organ failure. Treatment: there is no specific antiviral — hospital support and hydration in severe cases. Prevention/control: VACCINE (the main measure), as well as fighting the mosquito and using repellent.

  3. Explain how to eliminate the following deposits, preventing the proliferation of mosquitoes:
    • Tires
    • Bottles
    • Animal dishes
    • Water tank
    • Bromeliads or plants that accumulate water
    • Plant pot saucer
    • Barrel or vat
    • Gutters
    • Bottle caps, cans, and small disposable containers
    • External refrigerator drip tray

    Answer: 1) Tires: store them in a covered place or pierce them to drain the water. 2) Bottles: store them upside down. 3) Animal dishes: wash and change the water daily. 4) Water tank: always keep it well covered and sealed. 5) Bromeliads or plants that hold water: wash them frequently or put sand at the base. 6) Plant pot saucers: eliminate them or fill them with sand to the rim. 7) Barrel or vat: keep it covered and sealed. 8) Gutters: clean them so they do not clog or accumulate water. 9) Caps, cans, and small disposable containers: collect them and dispose of them in a closed trash bin. 10) Refrigerator drip tray: clean and dry it frequently. — The dengue mosquito breeds in clean standing water; eliminating all breeding sites is the most effective form of prevention.

  4. Complete the following tasks:
    • Take part, together with the Club, unit or school, in a campaign against dengue in your neighborhood.
    • Carry out a collection of containers that could accumulate standing water in squares and streets of your community and dispose of them properly.
    • Obtain leaflets with information about the main tropical diseases and distribute them in your neighborhood or school.
    • Properly dispose of your household waste for one week.
    • Help an elderly person in your neighborhood keep their home free of containers that accumulate water, carrying out the following tasks:
  5. With the help of your counselor, give a presentation, debate, or skit for your Club or unit about the tropical diseases studied in this Honor.