Case 5

A previously well 18 year old male student is brought to the ED by ambulance. His housemates report that he was complaining of a headache the night before when he went to bed. This morning they found him in bed with a decreased conscious state. The paramedics report he has a temperature of 39 degrees and that he has a non blanching petechial rash.

Answer these questions as best you can before moving on.

Question 1

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Question 2

What are your treatment priorities?

Question 3

What investigations would you organise?