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6 Final Case Report: College Outbreak

Sue Smith, a freshman in college, wakes up one day not feeling well. She thinks
she just has a cold but she goes to the college infirmary anyways to get herself checked
out. When she arrives, she finds the infirmary flooded with lots of students seeking
medical treatment as well. The following investigation reveals something more serious
than just a little but going around.
Our first patient, Sue, is an 18 year-old biology major who plays on the soccer
team. She has reported symptoms such as headache, extreme lethargy, lack of sleep
and living off of energy drinks and coffee, muscle tightness and a temperature of
100.6. She has also recently visited her friend at another college,which has not
helped her sleep schedule. Sues lab tests reveal a DNA sequence of the pathogen
from samples of her urine, blood and lymph. The DNA sequence was studied and
revealed that Sue had Meningitidis (Meningococcal Disease). Sue should be treated
with some antibiotics, steroids or a penicillin antibiotic, and she needs a lot of rest.
Jill is roommates with Sue and they play on the soccer team together. Jill reports
that her whole body feels tight, she has a slight fever of 99.7, and she smokes the
occasional cigarette. Her DNA did not get tested but based on her symptoms and her
relationship with Sue, we can assume that Jill has Meningitidis in a lesser form than
Sue. She should be treated with an antibiotic or a steroid.
Anthony is a reporter for the school paper and he is always on the go, trying to
cover multiple games at the same time. He is also friends with Maria. He has a dry
cough, he is more tired than normal, his muscles ache, he has some sinus pressure,
and his temperature is at 100. Anthonys lab results reveal a DNA sequence different
from a bacterial infection. He has been diagnosed with having the Influenza B virus
more commonly known as the Flu. He needs to be treated with plenty of sleep and
drinking lots of water to make sure he has enough fluids. Over-the-counter medications
may help with further relief of symptoms.
Wanda is a student that lives on the same floor as Sue and Jill and is pledging
the same sorority as Jill. They have long meetings every night in Jills dorm. She has a
fever, swollen neck glands, and her long meetings have led to a loss of sleep. Her
boyfriend Ray has also been showing the same symptoms. He says he will take a
Tylenol and ride it out. Her symptoms and her DNA sequencing reveal that Wanda has
Epstein-Barr Virus which is more commonly known as infectious mononucleosis or
mono. It is very possible and can be assumed that Ray also has mono. They both need
to be treated with plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also
help with symptoms.
Maggie lives on the same floor as Sue and Jill and they see each other at dorm
functions. She has been feeling run down lately, she has a scratchy throat and later on it
feels like it is on fire. Her head also feels heavy and she has a fever. Her lab tests and
DNA sequencing have revealed that she has the Streptococcus Pyogeres strain of

bacteria more commonly known as Strep Throat. She should be treated with Penicillin
antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
Maria lives down the hall from Sue and Jill and she is constantly in their dorm
and eating their food. She has been feeling run down lately, and she can barely get out
of bed. She also has a fever of 103 and she could barely get out of her bed. Maria
had no lab testing done but since she spends a lot of time in Jill and Sues dorm and
based on her symptoms, we can assume that Maria has Meningitidis and needs to be
treated with an antibiotic or a steroid.
Arnie is studying photography and hangs out with Anthony a lot. He has been
coughing a lot and he has a runny nose. In addition, he has extreme fatigue, chills, and
a temperature of 100.5. His DNA tests and lab data reveal that he also has the
Influenza B virus more commonly known as the Flu. He needs bed rest, plenty of fluids,
and over-the-counter medicine may help relieve symptoms.
Marco is Sues lab partner in biology. They eat and share food together when
they are working in the lab. He has been complaining of an extreme headache and he is
very fatigued. Marco had no tests run but based on analyzing his symptoms and sharing
food with Sue who is sick, we can assume that he cas contracted Meningitis and needs
to be treated with a steroid or an antibiotic.
Alvin is a guitar player and he is neighbors with Marco in the dorm. He has been
complaining of a headache and a sore throat and on top of that, he has been losing
sleep from studying lots for a chemistry test and going to a concert. While at the clinic,
Marco refused to get tests run and as he walked out, he met Wanda and she gave him
a cup of coffee. Based on his symptoms and the fact that he lives next to Marco who is
sick, tells us that Alvin has Meningitidis and should be treated with steroids or
antibiotics.
To stop the outbreak of students getting sick, the first thing to do is to educate
people about the fact that there are sicknesses going around. They should be told to
wash their hands and to keep to their own personal space. Next, people who are sick or
showing symptoms should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Those
who are sick should also visit the doctor to get any needed medications that they need
to cure their illness.