Differential Diagnosis

The patient's symptoms, which began after consuming bad chicken, include stomach upset, diarrhea, body aches, and a crawly skin feeling. Here's a differential diagnosis organized into the requested categories:

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Food Poisoning (Salmonella or Campylobacter): This is the most likely diagnosis given the onset of symptoms after eating bad chicken. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter are common pathogens associated with poultry that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, stomach upset, and systemic symptoms like body aches.

• Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Viral Gastroenteritis: Although less directly linked to bad chicken, viral gastroenteritis could be considered if the symptoms were part of a larger outbreak or if the patient had been exposed to a virus. However, the body aches and crawly skin feeling might be less typical for some viral causes.
  • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Infection: If the patient has recently used antibiotics, C. diff could be a consideration, especially with the presence of diarrhea. However, the direct link to eating bad chicken and the systemic symptoms like body aches and crawly skin might be less typical.

• Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Botulism: Although rare, botulism is a critical diagnosis not to miss due to its potential for severe neurological symptoms and high mortality if not treated promptly. The crawly skin feeling could be an early sign of neurological involvement, but typically, botulism presents with descending paralysis.
  • Listeriosis: Particularly in immunocompromised individuals, Listeria monocytogenes infection can be severe and life-threatening. It can cause gastrointestinal symptoms but is more known for its potential to cause severe infections like meningitis or sepsis.

• Rare Diagnoses

  • Staphylococcal Food Poisoning: Caused by eating foods contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus toxins, this condition typically presents with rapid onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The body aches and crawly skin feeling are less typical.
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A complication of certain bacterial infections, most commonly E. coli O157:H7, HUS can cause severe kidney failure and is more commonly associated with undercooked ground beef. However, it's a rare but serious condition that could be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe foodborne illness.