Misdiagnosis of Influenza Leads to a Ruptured Appendix

Case Overview

This case involves a fifteen-year-old female who went to the local emergency room with complaints of abdominal pain. Laboratory studies were ordered and indicated a high white blood cell count. Imaging studies were not ordered and the patient was discharged with a diagnosis of influenza. The patient then went to her family medicine doctor the following day, where once again, a diagnosis of influenza was made. Three days later, the patient visited another doctor who identified a ruptured appendix. The patient was rushed to the hospital where an emergency appendectomy was performed. However, she suffered from numerous complications resulting from the ruptured appendix and may require additional surgeries in the future. Additionally, there was a strong possibility that she was infertile as a result of the delayed surgical intervention.