[20F] Experiencing sore throat, vomiting, and low-grade fever

Patient Description

A 20-year-old female is presenting with a sore throat that is painful during eating, drinking, and talking, accompanied by a bright red throat with white spots on the tonsils. The patient has tried menthol lozenges and gargling saltwater without relief. Symptoms are worse in the morning and at night. The patient also reports vomiting bile and water every 10-15 minutes for about three hours in the morning, difficulty breathing, and a transient rash on the feet. Previously, the patient had a low-grade fever of 99-100° F that lasted approximately 12 hours, with associated chills. The patient has been sick four times in the last five months with flu-like symptoms, has no known allergies or adverse reactions to medications, and is currently only taking Tylenol, which has not been effective in alleviating symptoms.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you provided, there are a few possible diagnoses:

  • Strep Throat: This is a bacterial infection that can cause a sore throat, fever, and white patches on the tonsils. It is often accompanied by a rash known as scarlet fever, which could explain the rash on your feet.

    • Testing for strep throat involves a throat swab, and treatment typically involves antibiotics.
  • Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, often caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It can cause vomiting, and could potentially explain your symptoms of vomiting bile and water.

    • Treatment for gastroenteritis often involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies to alleviate symptoms.
  • Influenza (Flu): This viral infection can cause a sore throat, fever, and body aches. It could potentially explain your frequent illnesses over the past few months.

    • Treatment for the flu often involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies to alleviate symptoms. In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed.

What you can do

You should seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, here are some things you can do:

  1. Continue to rest and stay hydrated. This can help your body fight off the infection.
  2. Avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the infection.
  3. Continue taking over-the-counter remedies to alleviate symptoms. However, if these are not helping, you should let your doctor know.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Severe pain or discomfort, especially in the chest, abdomen, or neck
  • Confusion or difficulty waking up
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

Remember, I'm an AI and not a doctor. You should seek care from a healthcare professional to receive a formal diagnosis and treatment.

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11 mo ago

People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of strep throat?

Common symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, pain when swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, white patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, fever, headache, rash, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.


How can gastroenteritis lead to vomiting bile?

Gastroenteritis can cause vomiting due to irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining. When the stomach is empty, the body may expel bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, leading to vomiting bile.


What are the typical symptoms of influenza?

Typical symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue. Some people may also experience a sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea, though these are more common in children.


When should someone with a sore throat seek medical attention?

Someone with a sore throat should seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, severe pain, a high fever, a rash, or if symptoms persist for more than a few days without improvement. Additionally, if there is difficulty swallowing or if the sore throat is accompanied by vomiting or a rash, medical evaluation is advised.


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