Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Infectious Diseases: Case Study Detective Game

AIDS (HIV)?

Night sweats, chronic diarrhea, persistent fatigue, and frequent opportunistic infections.

African Sleeping Sickness?

Fever and joint pain, followed by a neurological phase including a disrupted sleep cycle and confusion.

C. diff (Clostridioides difficile)

Severe watery diarrhea, fever, and intense abdominal pain or cramping.

Ascariasis

Often no symptoms, but can cause abdominal discomfort, intestinal blockage, or a persistent cough.

Meningitis

High fever, stiff neck, severe headache, and sensitivity to light.

Botulism

Double vision, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness, and progressive paralysis.

Chicken Pox / Shingles

Itchy red rash/blisters (pox) or a painful, localized blistering rash (shingles).

Cholera

Massive 'rice-water' diarrhea, vomiting, and extreme, rapid dehydration.

Cat Scratch Disease

Swollen lymph nodes near a scratch or bite site, accompanied by fever and fatigue.

Cryptococcosis

Pneumonia-like symptoms or fungal meningitis signs such as headache and confusion.

Diphtheria

A thick gray coating (pseudomembrane) in the throat, sore throat, and swollen glands.

Elephantiasis

Massive swelling of limbs or genitals (lymphedema).

Gas Gangrene

Rapid tissue death, foul-smelling discharge, and gas bubbles felt under the skin.

German Measles (Rubella)?

Mild fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes; specifically dangerous during pregnancy.

Norovirus

Sudden, violent onset of vomiting, watery diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Gonorrhea

Painful urination, abnormal yellow or green discharge, and pelvic pain.

Hepatitis B & C

Jaundice (yellowing of eyes/skin), fatigue, dark urine, and potential liver failure.

Herpes Simplex (HSV 1 & 2)

Cold sores around the mouth or painful, recurring blisters on the genitals.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Extreme fatigue, severe sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen.

Influenza

High fever, chills, intense body aches, dry cough, and total exhaustion.

Leprosy

Skin lesions with a loss of sensation, nerve damage, and muscle weakness.

Lyme Disease

A 'bullseye' rash (Erythema migrans), fever, joint pain, and fatigue.

Malaria

Recurrent cycles of intense chills, high fever, and profuse sweating; anemia.

Measles (Rubeola)

Tiny white spots in the mouth (Koplik's spots), high fever, cough, and a full-body rash.

Mumps

Swelling of the parotid salivary glands (chipmunk cheeks), fever, and headache.

Peptic Ulcer

Burning stomach pain, bloating, and nausea, often felt when the stomach is empty.

Pertussis

Severe coughing fits that end in a high-pitched 'whooping' sound.

Plague

Painfully swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, or severe pneumonia.

Pneumonia

Cough with thick phlegm, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.

*Campylobacter jejuni

Diarrhea (frequently bloody), abdominal cramps, and fever.

Rabies

Fear of water (hydrophobia), confusion, aggression, and eventually paralysis.

Roseola

A high fever for several days, followed by a sudden pinkish rash on the trunk.

Listeria monocytogenes

Fever, muscle aches, and meningitis; high risk for miscarriage in pregnant patients.

Pharyngitis

Severe sore throat, white patches on the tonsils, and high fever.

Syphilis

A single painless sore (chancre), followed later by a rash on the palms and soles.

Tetanus

'Lockjaw,' painful muscle spasms, and extreme difficulty swallowing.

Toxoplasmosis

Often flu-like; can cause brain lesions in the immunocompromised or congenital issues.

Tuberculosis

Persistent cough (sometimes with blood), night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

Typhoid Fever

Sustained high fever, stomach pain, and a 'rose spots' rash on the chest/abdomen.

Legionnaires' Disease

Severe pneumonia symptoms, high fever, muscle aches, and a heavy cough.

Warts (HPV)

Fleshy, rough bumps on the skin or genital areas.

West Nile Encephalitis

Fever, headache, and body aches; can progress to encephalitis (brain inflammation).

MRSA

Red, swollen, painful skin bumps that resemble spider bites and often drain pus.

SARS

High fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, and body aches.

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

White patches in the mouth (thrush) or itching, burning, and thick white discharge.

Tapeworms

Nausea, weakness, weight loss, and visible segments in the stool.

Hookworms

An itchy rash at the site of entry (usually feet), abdominal pain, and anemia.

Ebola

Sudden fever, internal and external bleeding (hemorrhaging), and organ failure.

Zika

Fever, rash, and joint pain; associated with microcephaly in newborns.

Chikungunya

Sudden onset of fever and severe, debilitating joint pain.