What details  did the patient provide regarding their chief complaint and symptomology to derive your differential diagnosis?

In the course of the conversation, the patient described their primary complaint as fatigue and also provided additional symptomology like muscle aches or joint pain. On the basis of this information, a differential diagnoses was formulated that included a variety of possibilities from viral infections like influenza to auto-immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Additional investigation into symptoms like fever and weight loss can help to narrow down possible diagnoses.

To confirm or differentiate these possible causes, certain diagnostic tests like bloodwork and imaging studies are required. Ultimately, by carefully listening to the patient’s reports of their experiences combined with an understanding of diseases and conditions affecting similar populations it is possible to develop a list of likely explanations that can later be narrowed down through further testing if necessary.