Paul N., 14

Paul lives with his aged grandmother and likes to help around with the house chores. He would like to be a neurosurgeon when he grows up. In his free time, he likes to play football. Paul fell ill and was rushed to hospital when he developed fevers and started to act in an unusual way; he was abit confused.

Paul was brought to the hospital in a confused state. He had a very high fever and was disoriented in time, place and person. He had been ill for some time and was being given paracetamol at home to relieve him of the pain and the fever. A neighbour who had passed by their house was surprised that he had not been taken to the hospital and when he was informed that it was due to lack of funds, he informed Paul's grandmother about Helpster Charity. Paul was rushed to the hospital's emergency department and the medical personnel attended to him quite fast. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and severe malaria, was put on the appropriate medication and improved well.

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. Malaria should be treated promptly with the use of antimalarial drugs. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and even death. It can result in organ failure, severe anemia, neurological issues, and in some cases, prove fatal, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial for preventing these life-threatening consequences.