Question #19: Can You Diagnose This Gastrointestinal Infection?

Patient Case Studies

Case 1:

A 32-year-old man presents with the following symptoms:

  • Severe abdominal cramping and pain
  • Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever and chills

Additional notes: The patient reports that the symptoms started two days after eating undercooked chicken at a barbecue. He has no significant medical history.

Blood Test Result Normal Range
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count 14,000 cells/mcL 4,000-11,000 cells/mcL
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 30 mg/L 0-10 mg/L
Stool Culture Positive for Campylobacter species Negative

Case 2:

A 28-year-old woman presents with the following symptoms:

Information verified by the iythealth.com team.
  • Frequent, watery diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain that comes in waves
  • General malaise and weakness
  • Low-grade fever

Additional notes: She mentions that she recently returned from a trip abroad where she ate various street foods. Her symptoms began three days after returning home.

Blood Test Result Normal Range
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count 12,500 cells/mcL 4,000-11,000 cells/mcL
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 22 mg/L 0-10 mg/L
Stool Culture Positive for Campylobacter species Negative

Question: Based on the provided symptoms, patient histories, and blood test results, what is the most likely diagnosis?






About the Author

Reyus Mammadli is the author of this health blog since 2008. With a background in medical and biotechnical devices, he has over 15 years of experience working with medical literature and expert guidelines from WHO, CDC, Mayo Clinic, and others. His goal is to present clear, accurate health information for everyday readers — not as a substitute for medical advice.

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