Differential Diagnosis for Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Allergy
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is the most likely diagnosis due to the combination of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are common symptoms of gastroenteritis, often caused by viral or bacterial infections.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food Allergy or Intolerance: Given the mention of an allergy, a reaction to a specific food could be causing these symptoms, especially if the patient has a known history of food allergies or intolerances.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Although IBS is more chronic, an acute exacerbation could present with these symptoms, especially if triggered by a specific food or stress.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis could also present with these symptoms, particularly if the patient is experiencing a flare.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Food Poisoning: This is critical to identify as it can be caused by bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, or Staphylococcus, and some cases can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
- Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis can initially present with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea before the classic symptom of abdominal pain becomes prominent.
- Intestinal Obstruction: This is a medical emergency that can cause severe vomiting and abdominal pain, and while diarrhea might not always be present, it's crucial not to miss this diagnosis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten, which could cause gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those described, although it's typically more chronic.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause a variety of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often associated with an allergic reaction.
- Whipple's Disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption and gastrointestinal symptoms, although it's much less common and typically presents with additional systemic symptoms.