Differential Diagnosis for Watery Diarrhea, Fevers, Body Aches, Elevated WBC, Nausea, and Proctocolitis on CT
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Infectious Colitis (e.g., Clostridioides difficile, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter): This is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms of watery diarrhea, fevers, body aches, elevated white blood cell count (WBC), nausea, and the finding of proctocolitis on CT scan. These pathogens are common causes of infectious colitis, which presents with similar symptoms.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Flare: Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can present with similar symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and elevated WBC. The proctocolitis seen on CT could be consistent with an IBD flare, especially if the patient has a known history of IBD.
- Food Poisoning: Certain types of food poisoning (e.g., from Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including watery diarrhea, nausea, and fever, although the presence of proctocolitis might be less common.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Neutropenic Colitis: This condition occurs in individuals with neutropenia (low neutrophil count), often due to chemotherapy or bone marrow disorders. It can present with similar symptoms, including fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and is a medical emergency due to the high risk of perforation and sepsis.
- Ischemic Colitis: Reduced blood flow to the colon can cause ischemic colitis, which may present with abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and fever. While less likely given the watery nature of the diarrhea, it's a critical diagnosis not to miss due to potential severe outcomes.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Radiation Colitis: This condition can occur after radiation therapy to the abdominal or pelvic area. Symptoms can include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain, but it would be less likely without a history of recent radiation therapy.
- Eosinophilic Colitis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the colon, which can present with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. It's more commonly associated with allergic reactions or parasitic infections and would be an unusual cause of the described symptoms.