Clinical Problem Solving

This problem will provide practice interpreting data and information on an infectious disease. The questions are those that the primary care physician and epidemiologist ask themselves and each other as they solve a clinical problem.

A 22-year-old man presented to an emergency department with a one-day history of fever, myalgia, chills, headache, and malaise; he did not have dyspnea or cough. The patient had been in excellent health. His temperature was 39.4°C, his pulse rate was 118 beats per minute, his blood pressure was 127/84 mm Hg, and his respiratory rate was 24 breaths per minute. His blood O₂ level was 91%, determined by pulse oximetry.

Was his temperature normal?
Yes
No