A young woman presents to the emergency room with fever, headache, and vomiting. Food poisoning is suspected, she is given supportive care, and released. One week later she returns to the hospital in acute renal failure. A medical history reveals that she had been a volunteer at an orphanage in a rural section of a Caribbean island recently hit by a hurricane. During evacuation from the island, she had to wade through floodwaters suffered several abrasions on her legs and feet. What is the most likely pathogen based on her symptoms and history?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely pathogen based on the patient's symptoms and history is leptospirosis. This disease is often contracted through exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, which fits the scenario of wading through floodwaters with abrasions on her legs and feet. The symptoms of fever, headache, vomiting, and acute renal failure are consistent with leptospirosis.

A Young Woman Presents to the Emergency Room with Fever