What condition is indicated by fever, abdominal distention, diarrhea, and pink papular rashes after returning from central Africa?

The symptoms presented—fever, abdominal distention, diarrhea, and pink papular rashes—are highly indicative of typhoid fever, especially considering the travel history to central Africa. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi and is often linked to contaminated food and water, which is a significant risk in areas with less sanitary conditions.

The presence of abdominal distention and diarrhea fits the gastrointestinal complications commonly seen in typhoid fever, where the infection affects the intestines leading to symptoms such as these, and the systemic nature of the fever aligns with the body's response to a bacterial infection.

Additionally, the occurrence of rash, particularly in cases of typhoid fever, can manifest as a rose-colored spot or papular rash that appears on the abdomen and trunk. This is a classic presentation associated with typhoid.

In contrast to other options, malaria primarily presents with intermittent fever and chills, and does not typically cause diarrhea or a rash in the same presentation. Dengue fever is characterized by high fever, severe headache, retro-orbital pain, and a petechial rash rather than papular lesions. Yellow fever also features fever and can include hemorrhagic symptoms along with liver involvement, but abdominal