A 20-year-old university student presents with fever, headache, myalgia and rash after returning from the Northern Territory, where he camped near sta...

Question

A 20-year-old university student presents with fever, headache, myalgia and rash after returning from the Northern Territory, where he camped near stagnant water. He has been unwell for 3 days. Which feature would most strongly suggest meningococcal sepsis requiring immediate empiric IV antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Non-blanching purpuric rash and rapidly progressive shock

Answer

Maculopapular rash sparing the extremities

Answer

Rash only on sun-exposed areas

Answer

Slowly evolving rash over two weeks

Answer

Pruritic urticarial rash

au-acem MCQ (SBA): Meningococcal sepsis recognition