Differential Diagnosis for Diffuse Mouth Ulceration and Persistent Fever
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Aphthous Stomatitis: This condition is characterized by recurrent, painful mouth ulcers and can be accompanied by fever, especially in severe cases. It's a common condition that can be triggered by stress, trauma, or certain medications.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A viral infection caused by coxsackievirus or enterovirus, leading to mouth ulcers, fever, and rash on the hands and feet.
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection: Primary HSV infection can cause diffuse mouth ulcers, fever, and lymphadenopathy.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A severe skin and mucous membrane disorder, usually caused by an adverse reaction to medication or infection, characterized by mouth ulcers, fever, and skin lesions.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Leukemia: Certain types of leukemia, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), can present with mouth ulcers, fever, and other systemic symptoms due to bone marrow suppression and immunocompromised state.
- HIV Infection: Primary HIV infection can cause a range of symptoms, including mouth ulcers, fever, and lymphadenopathy, due to the immune system's response to the virus.
- Tuberculosis: Oral tuberculosis can cause mouth ulcers, fever, and other systemic symptoms, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Rare Diagnoses
- Pemphigus Vulgaris: A rare autoimmune disorder that causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, including the mouth, and can be accompanied by fever.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of genetic disorders that can cause fragile skin, joints, and mucous membranes, leading to mouth ulcers and other symptoms.
- Behçet's Disease: A rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, leading to mouth ulcers, fever, and other systemic symptoms.