AccessMedicine's Case of the Week: Acute Diarrhea
Case:
A mom brings her 4-year-old son into clinic after 2 days of vomiting and bloody diarrhea with fever. He has had 3 nonbloody, nonbilious emesis that started yesterday and has had about 5 episodes of bloody diarrhea in the last 24 hours. His maximum temperature (Tmax) is 100.5°F. He has not wanted to eat his usual food and complains of abdominal pain. He is drinking water and Gatorade and has urinated a few times today, but less than normal. He went to a school picnic yesterday where he had a cheeseburger, as did many other children. Mom reports that several other kids in his class from school have similar symptoms.
Questions:
1: What is the most likely diagnosis?
2: What laboratory studies should be obtained?
Click HERE to answer the questions and complete the case!
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