Rihanna E., 13

Rihanna aspires to be a lawyer when she grows up. She takes her schoolwork very seriously and is hardworking. Her teachers describe her as an intelligent girl and a go-getter who strives to achieve the best grades. At home, she helps her mother with chores like fetching water and firewood for cooking. Rihanna began coughing five days ago, and two days later, she developed chest pains and some difficulty in breathing. She has also had a fever during her illness. She was given over-the-counter medication in hopes of improvement, but her condition only worsened. Her mother, unable to afford medical treatment, learned about Helpster Charity from a neighbor who was a beneficiary.

The patient arrived at the hospital with complaints of cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fever. Upon assessment, she was found to have severe pneumonia. Examination revealed reduced air entry and crepitation in both lungs, and she appeared very unwell. Her cough was persistent and concerning. She was started on antibiotics, antipyretics, and painkillers, and admitted for inpatient care for five days. After showing improvement, she was discharged to continue her medication at home. A follow up phone call confirmed to us that Rihanna was doing well and had resumed school.

Pneumonia should be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, pneumonia may lead to the permanent lung damage, respiratory failure, septicaemia (infection entering blood stream and causing sepsis), pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall, which can make breathing difficult), and other life-threatening complications.