Modu M., 4

Modu is a four-year-old cheerful boy from a poor family living in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. He enjoys riding his bicycle and dreams of a better future. His family depends heavily on humanitarian assistance from non-governmental organizations for both shelter and food due to losing all means of livelihood from the decades-long insurgency by Boko Haram, which has devastated their communities. A week ago, Modu's condition changed when he developed paroxysmal cough, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, and chest pain, which lasted for five days. Despite home treatment, there was no improvement in his symptoms. Consequently, this morning, his mother brought him to the UMD clinic where he presented with severe coughing attacks accompanied by vomiting, fever, and dyspnea.

Modu is a four-year-old cheerful boy from a poor family living in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. He enjoys riding his bicycle and dreams of a better future. His family depends heavily on humanitarian assistance from non-governmental organizations for both shelter and food due to losing all means of livelihood from the decades-long insurgency by Boko Haram, which has devastated their communities. A week ago, Modu's condition changed when he developed paroxysmal cough, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, and chest pain, which lasted for five days. Despite home treatment, there was no improvement in his symptoms. Consequently, this morning, his mother brought him to the UMD clinic where he presented with severe coughing attacks accompanied by vomiting, fever, and dyspnea.At UMD,he was diagnosed with Pertusis and admitted for treatment on 12th April,2024 and was discharged home on 14th April, 2024. He is feeling better and his life has improved significantly.

Treatment for pertussis, or whooping cough, primarily involves antibiotics to help control the infection and reduce the spread of the disease and gives good result. Complications of whooping cough are more common in infant and young children.They may include pneumonia, middle ear infection,loss of appetite, sleep disturbance,fainting,dehydration,seizures,altered brain function(encephalopathy). 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.