What is the most likely diagnosis for a 22-month-old child with a history of eczema (atopic dermatitis) presenting with persistent upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms, including nasal congestion, cough, and rhinorrhea, despite previous treatment with amoxicillin (amoxicillin) for sinusitis, and now exhibiting fever, decreased appetite, and vomiting?

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Differential Diagnosis

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • Viral URI: Given the symptom constellation (nasal congestion, cough, rhinorrhea) and poor response to antibiotics, a viral upper respiratory infection is the most likely diagnosis. The presence of fever, decreased appetite, and vomiting also supports this diagnosis, as these symptoms are common in viral infections.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Allergic rhinitis: The patient's history of eczema increases the likelihood of allergic rhinitis, which can present with similar symptoms to a viral URI, such as nasal congestion and rhinorrhea.
    • Bacterial sinusitis: Although the patient did not respond to amoxicillin, bacterial sinusitis is still a possible diagnosis, especially given the persistent nature of the symptoms.
    • Acute otitis media: This diagnosis is also possible, given the patient's age and symptoms such as cough and fever.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Pneumonia: Although the patient's symptoms are more suggestive of a viral URI, pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening condition that must be ruled out, especially given the presence of fever and cough. The chest x-ray will help to evaluate for this condition.
    • Bacterial sepsis: Although not directly mentioned, bacterial sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can present with similar symptoms to a viral URI, such as fever and vomiting.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Other rare viral or bacterial infections (e.g. influenza, pertussis): Although less likely, these infections can present with similar symptoms to a viral URI and should be considered if the patient's symptoms do not improve with supportive care.
    • Immunodeficiency: Although very rare, an immunodeficiency could be considered if the patient has recurrent or persistent infections that do not respond to treatment. However, this would require further evaluation and testing.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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