[18F] Experiencing jaundice, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms

Patient Description

An 18-year-old female presented with yellowing of the eyes, fever, stomachache, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, cold sweats, headache, and fatigue. The patient noticed the yellowing of the eyes yesterday, with the skin remaining flushed and pale. She experienced a sharp pain in the right abdomen, rating it at 8.5 in severity. The vomiting began last night, occurring about five times, with the vomitus being yellow in color. The patient has been having a fever on and off since 9 PM the previous day, which decreases with water intake and vitamin B12. She has not noticed any specific food triggers for the vomiting. The patient's stool was described as soft, and she has been experiencing cold sweats along with her fever. No further information on the urine or stool color was provided. The patient has taken a Covid test since the onset of the fever.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, possible diagnoses include:

  • Hepatitis: This is inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by a viral infection, alcohol use, or certain medications. Symptoms can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

    • Treatment depends on the cause, but may include antiviral medications, lifestyle changes (like avoiding alcohol), or in severe cases, a liver transplant.
  • Gallstones: These are hard deposits in the gallbladder that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.

    • Treatment can include medications to dissolve the gallstones, or surgery to remove the gallbladder.
  • Pancreatitis: This is inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

    • Treatment usually involves hospitalization for pain management, IV fluids, and sometimes surgery.

What you can do

Given the severity of your symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away.

  1. Go to the emergency room: Your symptoms are severe and could indicate a serious condition that needs immediate treatment.

  2. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration from fever and vomiting.

  3. Rest: Try to get as much rest as possible to help your body recover.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • Your symptoms worsen or do not improve
  • You experience severe abdominal pain
  • You start vomiting blood or have bloody or black stools
  • Your jaundice worsens

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.

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10 mo ago

People Also Ask


What causes yellowing of the eyes and skin, and is it serious?

Yellowing of the eyes and skin, known as jaundice, is often caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. It can be a sign of liver problems, such as hepatitis, or issues with the gallbladder or pancreas. It is important to seek medical attention as it can indicate a serious condition.


What are the common symptoms of hepatitis and how is it treated?

Common symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, or in severe cases, a liver transplant.


How can gallstones cause abdominal pain and what are the treatment options?

Gallstones can block the bile ducts, causing pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Treatment options include medications to dissolve the stones or surgery to remove the gallbladder.


What should I do if I experience severe abdominal pain and vomiting?

If you experience severe abdominal pain and vomiting, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition that requires prompt treatment, such as pancreatitis or a gallbladder issue.


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