Anthony M., 11

Anthony lives in the slum areas of town with his parents and siblings. He likes playing football and watching football. He likes to participate in games and sports tournaments. Anthony's favorite meal is chips, smokies and juice. He would like to be an electrical engineer when he grows up. Anthony loves eating Smokies and drinking juice, he wants to be an engineer in future. He is taking his studies seriously in order to get a scholarship to see him through high school and even college. He was brought to the hospital with complains of abdominal pains, headache, diarrhoea and difficulty in breathing. The symptoms begun three days ago and his mother gave him some anti-pain medication but this did not help much. He has not gotten any medical advice since his mother is a casual labourer who depends on getting a job at a farm inorder to earn a living.

Anthony arrived at the hospital complaining of a throbbing headache and a nagging abdominal pain that seemed to center in his upper stomach—the epigastric region. On examination, doctors noted significant tenderness in that area, along with guarding, a sign that his body was instinctively trying to protect the painful spot. After running a series of lab tests, the medical team diagnosed him with both malaria and gastritis. Immediate pain relief measures were initiated, providing him much-needed comfort, followed by targeted treatment for both conditions. A few days after his discharge, Anthony returned for a follow-up appointment. Thankfully, the news was all good—his symptoms had resolved, and he was back on his feet, fully recovered.

Gastritis prognosis is good, it can be treated urgently with antibiotics. If not treated immediately Anthony would be at risk of stomach perforation and and gastritic cancer.