Teresa A., 11

Teresa is an 11-year-old girl living with her parents in a rural area. She is in Grade 4 at a nearby primary school, where she is known to be calm, respectful, and hardworking despite the challenges she faces. At home, she is responsible and often helps her mother with chores and caring for her younger siblings. She enjoys playing simple games with friends and reading when she can, and dreams of becoming a nurse in the future. Her family lives in a modest two-room house without electricity and depends on water from a nearby well. Her mother, the main provider, earns about KSh 900 per month from selling bananas, which barely meets their needs. Teresa became unwell four days prior with weakness, headache, and abdominal pain, later developing fever and frequent diarrhea. Her condition worsened, limiting her activities. Due to financial constraints, care was delayed until her mother brought her to the hospital. They were referred to Helpster by a community health promoter for support, and she was started on treatment.

Teresa was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition with septicaemia, a severe bloodstream infection requiring urgent care. She was immediately started on intravenous (IV) broad-spectrum antibiotics to fight the infection, along with IV fluids to stabilize her circulation and prevent shock. Doctors closely monitored her vital signs, conducted laboratory tests to identify the causative organism, and adjusted medications accordingly. She also received supportive care, including fever management, proper nutrition, and close nursing observation to ensure her recovery progressed well. After several days of intensive treatment, Teresa’s condition gradually improved. Her fever subsided, her strength returned, and follow-up tests showed that the infection had been controlled. She was later transitioned to oral medications and discharged in stable condition with advice for continued care at home.

Teresa’s prognosis is good. With prompt and appropriate treatment, children with septicaemia can recover fully and return to normal health. Early management with intravenous antibiotics, fluids, and close monitoring helps control the infection, reduce fever, stabilize circulation, and restore energy. She is expected to resume normal activities, including school and play. However, if not treated urgently, septicaemia can rapidly worsen, leading to complications such as septic shock, organ failure, or even death. This makes it a medical emergency requiring immediate care to prevent serious outcomes.