Module 4 discussion: write your own case study

Module 5 covers microorganisms and viruses that cause disease as well as their treatments and presence within the population. This is a two part assignment. You will be required to complete the following three tasks:

1. Write your own, original case study. Use the criteria listed below to guide you through the requirements and technique of writing a case study. It must be posted inside the discussion board and cannot be an attachment. If you do not know how to make sure your case is inside the text box and not attached contact your instructor for assistance. 
2. Reply to another student with the solution to their case study, including the criteria listed under Part 2. 

PART 1

Post Your Own Case Study

Introduction and Background

• Patient history
  • age
  • gender
  • travel history
  • food history
  • time and place of illness onset
  • any events attended or other possible exposures
  • any all patients associated with the case should have a brief patient history included, even if they are a group.

Presentation of Findings

• A minimum of three signs and symptoms being presented by the patient (chills, fever, vomiting, white cell abnormal counts, sore throat, other test results you learn about that may contribute information to the identification of the disease but do not use a test result that is specific to the pathogen). Example, a CBC or DWC (whole blood count or differential white count) numbers can be provided and stated as abnormal, but do not list a positive reaction on a strep A test. (The strep test is specific and would give away the case whereas the blood tests would be helpful but less specific).
• Describe 2 test results that were used to help understand what was happening to the patient. The full name of the test, how the test works and what the results were for the patient. 
  • You may NOT use any test that was described in the BC microbiology lab. You will need to learn about diagnostic tests that are currently used in hospital labs.  

Conclusion

• Describe a suggested or applied course of treatment. What medications were prescribed and why. State if the medications helped or did not help. 
• Describe any non-medication treatments 

Case studies should be no more than three paragraphs. It should be direct and to the point but include all the information listed in Part 1. 

You may select any of the following pathogen types for to create your own ORIGINAL case study.

• Bacteria
• Viral
• Parasitic Protozoan
• Helminth

DO NOT PROVIDE THE ANSWER TO YOUR CASE STUDY!!!!  After posting your own case study, you will be required to respond to another student with the answer to their case study. PLEASE DO NOT solve more than one case study. Each student is required to solve one, so please do not attempt more than one. You are not required to list sources in the original case study but are required in the reply post in Part 2. 

PART 2

Solving a Case Study

The following criteria must be met in your solution to another students case:

• Name of pathogen causing the disease
• Describe the evidence in the case study that led you to your conclusion
• Provide a recommended course of treatment

Your reply with your solution must be at least one paragraph consisting of 150 words or more. All sources used should be listed in MLA format. 

If someone solves your case study, it is common courtesy to let them know if they got your case study correct.

Post your case study in this discussion thread! Be sure to make it interesting, funny or just creative. Have some fun with the assignment!