Coming together

Sometimes it's nice when it all comes together and you feel like you've actually learned something. Today in class we were discussing DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) via a case study. Beginning of the case was something like: 27 year old woman in the ER, 24 hour history of feeling unwell, 6 hour history of headache, photophobia and vomiting, widespread purpuric rash, stiff neck. Now... any doctor worth their salt should know what the problem is. But, as a first year medical student just finished studying the ID section of the course, the fact that meningococcal meningitis popped straight into my head was like a light shone down from heaven and assured me that the studying is worth it. Yes, there are lots of other more complicated things I need to know, but the addition that I could name not one but two antibiotics (ceftriaxone, cipro- for prophylaxis) effective against the organism was somewhat reassuring.

Then someone else in the class raised her hand and said "could it be because she's pregnant (the DIC)" I've never seen a prof stare at a student for longer before saying in a voice of disbelief "it's a classic presentation". The question girl (this time) strikes again!

and... back to the books!