Assignments task:
A 25 year old female presented to student health complaining of intense bouts of a higher fever, chills and headaches. The individual says they had some more mild flu-like symptoms a few days ago before the more intense symptoms began in a cyclic or rotating pattern (1-2 hours of shaking chills followed by 2-3 hours of fever and sweating as the fever comes down). Upon completing the history and physical, the student noted that she is a University of Iowa student and she returned from a trip to a remote portion of Sierra Leone about 15 days ago.
1. List two pathogens that would be on your differential for this individual?
2. Which is the most likely causative agent and what information in the above history points to that pathogen?
3. Describe two preventative measures the individual could have undertaken to prevent their exposure.
4. Is there a concern for an outbreak in Iowa? Why or why not?