Abstract: Human, dog, and cat fleas, as well as bedbugs, feed by biting their victims, causing acute prurigo, which is aggravated in sensitized victims (papular urticaria). The lesions appear in the classic "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" pattern. There are two main explanations: the parasites "map" the skin area in search of the best places to bite, and their removal when victim scratches, and then reattach to the skin. Treatments aim to control pruritus, as well as hypersensitivity reactions when necessary. Prevention is based on environmental control measures. The "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" sign is a definitive marker for diagnosis and the parasite´s identification and control.

INTRODUÇÃO: Após a Segunda Guerra Mundial, a indústria farmacêutica (IF) consolidou-se como importante e lucrativa atividade econômica. Considerando que os prescritores são médicos, a IF se vale de pesada campanha propagandística e do oferecimento de vantagens, desde os primórdios da formação médica. OBJETIVOS: Identificar percepções éticas em estudantes de Medicina no início do curso, além de comparar os distintos grupos que compõem a amostra. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, descritivo, baseado na aplicação e análise de questionário sobre a relação entre médicos e IF, respondidos por 94 segundanistas. Para análise estatística, utilizaram-se testes do tipo Wilcoxon e Exato de Fisher. A significância foi de p = 0,5. RESULTADOS: As respostas foram semelhantes aos conceitos do Código de Ética Médica (CEM) de 1988. Na comparação entre grupos relativamente ao item que declarava a necessidade de maior tempo de abordagem de temas éticos, verificou-se divergência entre estudantes religiosos e aqueles sem religião declarada. DISCUSSÃO: A influência das ações da IF era conhecida entre os alunos, ainda que ignorassem certos mecanismos de atuação desta e se tornassem vulneráveis à propaganda em ambiente acadêmico. CONCLUSÃO: As percepções éticas dos estudantes pesquisados foram, em geral, homogêneas na amostra e estão em conformidade com o CEM. Reconheceram a necessidade de contínua discussão sobre o assunto

INTRODUCTION: Since World War II, the pharmaceutical industry has consolidated itself as an important and lucrative economic activity. Considering that the prescribers are physicians, the industry draws on heavy advertising and perks and benefits, beginning early in medical school. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to identify ethical perceptions among medical students in early medical school, besides comparing the various groups comprising the sample. Sample and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study based on the application and analysis of a questionnaire on the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, answered by 94 second-year medical students. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon's and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.5. RESULTS: The answers were similar to the Code of Medical Ethics, last revised in 1988. In the comparison of the groups concerning the statement on the need for more time devoted to ethical issues, there was a difference between religious and non-religious students. DISCUSSION: Students were aware of the pharmaceutical industry's influence, although they were unaware of some of its marketing mechanisms and the fact that they were vulnerable to advertising within the medical school setting. CONCLUSION: The students' ethical perceptions were largely homogeneous and consistent with the Code of Medical Ethics. They acknowledged the need for an on-going discussion on the subject