A 45-year-old female presents with sudden onset of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and low-grade fever starting 6 hours after eating a fast food hamburger. What is the most likely cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms are suggestive of foodborne illness, possibly due to bacterial contaminants like Escherichia coli, often found in undercooked ground beef. The next steps include supportive care with fluids and electrolytes, monitoring for signs of severe illness such as blood in the stool or signs of dehydration. If the symptoms persist or worsen, stool cultures may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and guide antibiotic treatment if necessary.