Differential Diagnosis for Vomiting and Diarrhea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral Gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, often due to norovirus or rotavirus, and typically presents with a self-limiting course of symptoms lasting several days to a week.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter, often related to food poisoning or contaminated water, and can present with similar symptoms to viral gastroenteritis but may have a more severe course.
- Food Poisoning: Similar to bacterial gastroenteritis but specifically related to the ingestion of contaminated or spoiled food, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Medication-Induced Gastroenteritis: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can cause gastrointestinal side effects including vomiting and diarrhea.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis can present with vomiting and diarrhea, especially if the appendix is located near the intestine, and is a surgical emergency.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, which can cause bowel obstruction and ischemia, presenting with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Flare: Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chronic diarrhea and vomiting, and an acute flare can be mistaken for an infectious cause.
Rare Diagnoses
- Giardiasis: An intestinal infection caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, which can lead to chronic diarrhea and vomiting if not treated.
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and malabsorption.
- Whipple's Disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption, diarrhea, and vomiting, among other symptoms.