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Teaching Resources

Our infections

In “Insect Bites,” a 9-year-old girl named Lola develops a high fever after spending time outdoors with her scout group. At the hospital, the doctor discovers a tick attached behind her ear and explains that such bites can transmit infections causing fever. The story teaches children about tick-borne diseases, how ticks are removed safely, and how to prevent future bites through proper clothing, pet care, and personal hygiene after outdoor activities.

Insect bites

Mummy: I have a bug attached to the back of my ear!

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"20070705-07 - 4th of July at Eric Axilbund's - IMG_2799 - Carolyn's tick bite" by Claire CJS is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

The story “Hepatosplenomegaly” follows Jaime, a child who visits the pediatrician after several days of fever and sore throat. During the examination, the doctor discovers that Jaime��’s liver and spleen are enlarged — a condition called hepatosplenomegaly. The text then explains, in simple and educational language for children, what this condition means, why it occurs (often due to infections), how it is diagnosed, and how it can be treated, emphasizing the role of the liver and spleen as filters and storage organs in the body.

Hepatosplenomegaly

Mummy: This illness is lasting too long!

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“Coughs and Sneezes” explains in simple terms why these common symptoms occur, how doctors diagnose their causes, and how they can be treated or prevented. The text describes viral and bacterial infections that affect the respiratory system, including colds, flu, and COVID-19, emphasizing hygiene practices, vaccination, and the responsible use of antibiotics to maintain health and prevent disease transmission.

Coughs and sneezes

Granny: I have been coughing all night and my throat is sore – will you make me a nice lemon and honey drink?

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-sick-girl-wiping-her-nose-with-tissue-3765115/

Humans have a thermostat in the brain that keeps our body temperature around 36°C. In cold weather, it tells us to generate more heat, while in hot weather, like at the beach in summer, it encourages sweating to cool down. This thermostat works like an air conditioner, maintaining our body's optimal temperature for peak performance. When our body detects an infection, it raises our temperature—creating a fever. This higher temperature makes it harder for the infecting microorganism to multiply and boosts our immune system's ability to fight off the germ.

Fever

Mummy, I feel weird, cold, and shivery!

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Ganglia are structures throughout the body that are part of the immune system, responsible for producing defenses against infections and diseases. Inside them are important cells called lymphocytes, which act as police against intruders like viruses and bacteria. When intruders enter the body, lymphocytes alert the rest of the immune system to defend against the infection. Normally, we can't see the lymph nodes, but when we are sick, they fill with defenses, swell, and can be felt with our fingers. These swollen nodes are called adenopathies or lymphadenopathies.

Swollen glands

Daddy: I have balls like peas in my neck!

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Inflammation of the throat lymph node. Inflamación del nódulo linfático de la garganta. ID:
1117938110

Intestinal worms: they are small white worms called Enterobius that live in our intestine, that long tube in which we digest our food. These little worms, which are like little white threads, form families, and the females lay eggs, like chickens and fish, but much, much smaller. In order to lay their eggs, they have to go outside, through the anus, and they move around a lot, as if they were going crazy, and they do this especially at night. And that's when bums get itchy.

Itchy bum (pinworm infections)

Mummy: I could not sleep last night because my bum was sooooo itchy!

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Photo by Allan Mas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-child-drawing-on-asphalt-5622385/

Our brain and spinal cord, along with the fluid they float in, are surrounded by a protective layer called the meninges. Imagine our brain inside a water balloon: the balloon represents the meninges, and the water represents the protective fluid. Meningitis occurs when the meninges become inflamed, typically due to a viral or bacterial infection.

Meningitis

Mummy: I feel sick! I have a headache and I'm going to throw up!!

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Photo by Victoria Rain: https://www.pexels.com/photo/little-boy-checking-body-temperature-4345670/

Diarrhoea is when our poo becomes liquid like water or mush. Although sometimes we only notice this change, diarrhoea is often accompanied by other unpleasant sensations such as a tummy ache or an urge to vomit. Sometimes we may also have a fever.

Diarrhoea

Mummy: My tummy is roaring like a lion and hurts!

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"Kid playing toilet paper" by kudumomo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Otitis is an inflammation of the structures of the ear, usually caused by an infection, which can be viral or bacterial.

Earache

Mummy: My ear is hurting!

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#earache" by Mish Mish is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

A sore throat is common in both children and adults, often feeling like burning, pricking, or itching in the throat. While sometimes this is the only symptom, it can also be accompanied by fever, runny nose, and coughing. Other symptoms may include a rash (changes in skin color or texture), swollen cervical lymph nodes (neck nodes), redness, and edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation) of the tonsils and pharynx, which may be covered with a patchy white or yellowish exudate or vesicles.

Sore Throat

Mummy: my throat is sore and I feel hot!

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Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-checking-his-son-temperature3985216/

Bandera de Costa Rica

Institutions

Logo Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot)
Logo Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)
Logo Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnología (CeNAT)
Logo Escuela de Química UCR
Logo Centro de Investigación en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)

Email

max.chavarria@ucr.ac.cr

Telephone

+506 2511 2270       (CIPRONA)
+506 2519 5871       (CENIBiot-CeNAT-CONARE)

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