Assignment
Bobby was so happy he could hardly contain his excitement. He had finally convinced his mom to let him have a pet rat for his 6th birthday. Ever since his mom had read him Charlotte's Web, he had wanted a rat because Templeton was his favorite character from the story. His dream of having a buddy was finally coming true.
When they got home from the pet store, Bobby carried both the rat and the cage to his room. He then ran into the kitchen to ask his mom if he could take Templeton out of the cage and put him in the hollow plastic ball that they had bought from the store that allowed the rat could run around the house. His mom agreed and offered to take the rat out of the cage, but Bobby wanted to do it himself; it was his pet, after all. Bobby's mom had been nervous about getting a rat, but the pet shop owner had assured her that they were docile and healthy group of animals that would make excellent pets for her son. Bobby's mom told him to be gentle as he lowered his arm into the rat's cage. He was able to grasp his small hand around the rat's body, and began to lift him out of the cage. The whole procedure was going well until Bobby tried to lower Templeton into the red plastic ball. Afraid and shaking, Templeton peed on Bobby and then bit his finger. Bobby released Templeton with a yelp and started to cry. His mom thought to herself, "I knew this was a bad idea," and she hugged her son.
A few days later, as Bobby's mom went into his room to wake him up for school, she noticed he was sweating and his forehead felt very warm. She took his temperature and discovered it was 100 degrees. He told her his body was hurting and he felt like he was going to throw up. She decided to keep him home from school in the hope that he would feel better the next day. His mom had kept him on strict bed rest that day, and while Bobby felt horrible and thew up a couple of times, he was happy to be able to glance over at Templeton's cage, and imagine the wild adventures they would have together. The next day, when Bobby woke up he noticed a cluster on red speckles on his legs and stomach and he found it hard to walk because his knees were hurting so bad. It felt like someone kicked him right in the knees at soccer practice. He told his mom, and she made an appointment for him to see Dr. Whaleberg, his pediatrician.
A. Name at least four pathogens and the illnesses they cause that could have caused Bobby's symptoms
B. Dr. Whaleberg thinks that Bobby might have scarlet fever. He decides to prescribe antibiotics for this infection and begins to make the note on his prescription pad. However just as he is signing his name, one of Bobby's hands catches his eye. He notices a cluster of blood-filled blisters on his fingers. This makes Dr. Whaleberg second guess his initial diagnosis.
C. What question(s) should Dr. Whaleberg ask Bobby and his mother in order to pinpoint Bobby's diagnosis?
D. What clinical, microbiological, or molecular tests should Dr. Whaleberg use to make his diagnosis?
E. What infection does Bobby have? What antibiotic is typically used to treat this infection and what is the mechanism of action?
F. How is this infection transmitted? Bobby has a sister, is it possible for his sister to catch it?
G. Bobby's mom does not understand how Bobby could have gotten sick from his pet. The owner had assured her the rats were safe, and Templeton looked very healthy and was active in his cage.
H. How could Templeton have been the cause of the illness if he seemed healthy?
I. What are some of the complications of the disease? What complication is the most serious?