House MD

Babies making babies

Today the hospital had an epidemic, not some tiny one with like 100 people, 890 people were sent here when a meningitis outbreak occurred at a local swimming pool. During epidemics it's a pretty standard and boring routine. Temperature over 38• give them a blue slip, under 38• give them a yellow slip. This morning I was administering the clinic when I saw House walk in, look around then turn around to leave. I ran up to stop him.

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked him

"Sorry, lot of sick people. I might catch something." He replied

"A judge at the campus pool center collapsed, LP revealed a virulent form of bacterial meningitis. Since you are a doctor currently employed at this hospital you have a duty to treat patients"

"Great, you've already got it diagnosed, you don't need me." He replied

"2500 people at the pool center were exposed. They're being bused to all the neighboring hospitals. We're full and need all the doctors we can get"

"That's a problem of resources, not diagnostics. I'd get in everyone's way." He said and turned around to leave

"You can't legally leave, you've been exposed so you can either pick the easy way and stay or I could have the security guards make you stay"

He turned around sadly and walked to the exam room to look at patients.

A few hours later I was checking out patients, I was only in charge of administration until Cuddy came back from Boston. I was in the room and behind it was an endless line of people just waiting to be seen

"All right, no fever, no rash, you're fine. Take these two pills, and show this blue slip to Security on your way out. Next!" I said

A young girl walked in probably 12 or 13 years old. She sat down on the table and I took her temperature.

"I'm Mary" she said

"Nice to meet you Mary I'm Dr. Kingston"

I took the thermometer out of her mouth

"38.4" I said as I looked at the thermometer

"Fever. Does that mean I have it?" She asked

"Do you have a rash?"

Mary lifts her jacket to reveal a red rash on her hip.

"It's from my new bathing suit, I've had it a week. I was one of the swimmers at the competition, I've been here for a week competing"

"Okay, Does your neck hurt?"

"It's nothing. I pulled it trying to do a three-and-a-half tuck."

"Where are your parents?"

"We live in Chicago. I'm here with my coach."

"Okay, can you do this for me" I said turning my neck from side to side

She tried by it hurt her. This isn't meningitis but it's something.

"Mary, I'm going to admit you. Go tell your coach take you to the waiting room on the second floor"

She sighed and went to do as I said. I walked out of the exam room and walked into the one House was occupying. I peered in.

"I need you now" I said

"I'm okay staying here" he replied

"I've got a good case"

"I'm coming" he said as he stood up

We rounded everyone else up and went to the office, I described Mary's symptoms.

"Maybe something systemic." Said Chase