A 35-year-old male presents with bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a low-grade fever 3 days after eating a steak at a barbecue. What is the most likely cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms suggest a bacterial infection, possibly due to Escherichia coli O157:H7, which can be present in undercooked beef. The next steps would include stool culture to confirm the diagnosis and supportive treatment with fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics are usually not recommended due to the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome.