Angel Grace W., 4

Angel is the first-born child in a family of two siblings. Her mother is a single parent who separated from her husband six months ago. The family currently lives at her maternal home, where her mother earns a modest income by selling food to miners at a nearby gold mining site. Despite the challenges they face, Angel is a friendly child with a bright smile. Although naturally quiet and reserved, she enjoys making friends and spending time with other children. According to her mother, Angel had been in good health until one evening when she suddenly became withdrawn and stopped playing with her peers. She developed redness of the eyes, high fever, chills, excessive sweating, and progressive weakness. Over the following days, she developed a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, poor appetite, and general body weakness. She became increasingly lethargic, spent most of her time lying down, and was unable to participate in her usual activities. Her mother also noticed that she appeared unusually tired and had difficulty feeding. Concerned about her condition, her mother sought help from an elderly neighbor who provided herbal medicine. Angel took the herbal remedies for two days without any improvement, and her condition continued to worsen. During a routine household visit, a Community Health Promoter (CHP) found Angel visibly ill and advised the family to seek urgent medical attention at a health facility, where she was later evaluated and treated.

Angel was brought in to the facility refered by Community Health Promoter.The CHP reported that she found the mother giving her some herbal medicine at home to cool her body temperature,cough and also vomit which were her complaints.On arrival the baby was lethargic and restless,prompt examination and investigation were done and diagnosed with severe malaria and pneumonia.She was commenced on IV Artesunate which is an antimalarial and also IV antibiotic.She was also put on oral antipyretic for the fevers.Angel showed fair prognosis and after day three upon admission she had improved greatly and was due for discharge.She was discharged after the fourth day with oral medication to continue her care at home.Currently she has recovered fully and can play with her mates.

The prognosis for malaria and pneumonia is highly favorable with early, proper treatment, leading to a full recovery.Like in Angel’s case,early diagnosis was made and treatment commenced immediately,she had a good prognosis with continued medication.If this was delayed it can cause complications which brings about organs failure and eventualy coma more so to immunocompromised children like Angel.