A 10-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room because of a headache. For the past three days, he has had a fever and a headache. Then, this morning his mother noted the presence of a rash. He denies vomiting, abdominal pain, neck pain, or coughing. Last week, he went hiking with his father although he denies any tick bite. On physical examination, temperature is 38.7℃, heart rate is 88 per minute, and respiratory rate is 23 per minute. There is a blanching erythematous rash with macules on the ankles and wrists. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?a. Leptospirosisb. Meningococcal meningitisc. Rocky Mountain spotted feverd. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purport

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSV) is caused by the bacteria infection that are transmitted by the ticks. The symptoms of RMSV are headache, rash and fever.

A 10 year old boy shows symptoms that are similar to the RMSV. A boy has been hiking with his father and may get tick bite. The most likely diagnosis is the Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Thus, the correct answer is option (c).