Salisu B., 4

Salisu is a 4-year-old boy who lives with his parents and siblings in a home generously provided to them by a Good Samaritan. His family faces extreme financial hardship, with a monthly income of just 3,000 naira. His father is currently unemployed and his mother works as a house help to put food on the table. The family has no access to electricity and relies on a well for water and a pit toilet for sanitation. Salisu was doing well until he developed a high fever that came and went. His condition worsened and he began vomiting everything he ate. His parents, deeply worried, sought medical help immediately. On examination, Salisu was found to be very warm to the touch with a temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius, breathing rapidly and with an elevated heart rate. He was diagnosed with Severe Malaria and an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, both of which require urgent medical treatment.

Salisu a 4yo male child was apparently well until 3 days ago when he developed high body temperature was on and off. Yesterday he vomited everything. On examination, a 4yo male child conscious until looking, very warm to touch (38.2o C), not pale, not jaundiced and not acyanosed, tachypneic with tachycardia. Patient was diagnosed with Severe Malaria and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. Salisu’s treatment was commenced treatment with injection antimalarials, injection antibiotics and other supportive care. Patient did well, he was stable and got discharged. The family are happy, smiling and thankful to Helpster Charity for coming through for them.

Salisu has severe malaria requiring urgent inpatient treatment with intravenous antimalarial therapy, supportive care, close monitoring, and prompt management of complications to reduce morbidity and mortality. Patient was also diagnosed with background upper respiratory tract infection which requires monitoring for complications, and antibiotics. Without prompt medical intervention, Salisu's severe malaria could rapidly progress to cerebral malaria, multi-organ failure, and death, as untreated severe malaria in young children carries a very high mortality rate. The concurrent upper respiratory tract infection further weakens his immune response, significantly increasing the risk of life-threatening complications if left unmanaged. Prognosis is excellent, with Salisu recovering completely within one to two weeks using supportive care.