Final answer:
The symptoms described are characteristic of a TORCH infection, which could involve diseases like congenital syphilis or RMSF. Diagnosis involves serological tests and fluorescent antibody staining, while treatment for RMSF includes antibiotics like doxycycline.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diagnosis and Treatment of TORCH Infection
The presentation of symptoms such as a maculopapular rash on the palms and soles, snuffles, and periostitis, coupled with initial cold-like symptoms with a high fever, points towards a TORCH infection. TORCH is an acronym that stands for Toxoplasmosis, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes simplex virus. These infections can be challenging to diagnose due to their similarity to other diseases. The diagnosis of a potential TORCH infection, such as congenital syphilis or rickettsial diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), might involve serological testing like a prenatal TORCH panel, darkfield or brightfield microscopy, fluorescent antibody staining of a biopsy specimen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of specific pathogens.
For RMSF, the primary treatment involves the antibiotic doxycycline, with chloramphenicol as a second choice. Treatment should begin as soon as RMSF is suspected, without waiting for confirmation through lab tests, due to the disease's rapid progression. It is also important to mention that appropriate measures should be taken for pregnant women and children when considering doxycycline, as it may not be the drug of choice in those cases.