Wilderness Medicine Case Study 71

You are on a three-week canoe expedition in the boundary waters. One of your students, Ximena, approaches you before breakfast complaining of pain and swelling in her ankles; she thinks it's a reaction to the black fly bites she received a couple of days ago when she forgot to reapply DEET after swimming. Yesterday the bite sites were slightly red and itchy. This morning, upon awakening, both her ankles are swollen with red streaks moving up her lower legs. She is tired and feels sick. Her core temperature  is 101º F (38.3º C). It's day 14.

What is wrong with Ximena and what should you do? Click here to find out.

Don't know where to begin or what to do? Take one of our wilderness medicine courses. Guides and expedition leaders should consider taking our Wilderness First Responder course.

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