Bethwell O., 5

Bethwel is a playful and well-behaved boy who enjoys spending time with his friends and is often seen searching for materials to make toys. He dreams of becoming a footballer when he grows up. However, he recently came to the hospital with symptoms of a cough, runny nose, and overall body discomfort.

Bethwell was brought to the facility with complaints of a gradually worsening headache that occurred intermittently. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and tinea capitis (a fungal infection of the scalp). Treatment was necessary to prevent severe complications and deterioration of his quality of life. For pneumonia, he was prescribed cefixime, an antibiotic in the cephalosporin class. Tinea capitis was treated with clotrimazole B, preferred for its combination of antifungal and corticosteroid properties. Paracetamol was given to alleviate the reported pain. All medications are administered orally, and Bethwell can take them at home since he can tolerate oral medication. With adherence to the prescribed treatment, his quality of life is expected to improve significantly.

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.