A 35-year-old man presents with fever, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea starting 5 days after eating undercooked eggs. What is the most likely cause, and what are the next steps?
The patient's symptoms are indicative of a Salmonella infection, a common cause of foodborne illness often linked to undercooked eggs and poultry. Most cases of salmonellosis resolve without treatment within a week. However, the patient should be advised to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. In severe cases or if the patient has a compromised immune system, antibiotics may be necessary.