Abdullahi M., 4

Abdullahi is a four-year-old cheerful boy from a family living in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. His family, having lost all means of livelihood due to the decades-long insurgency by Boko Haram, depends heavily on humanitarian aid from non-governmental organizations. Abdullahi loves riding his bicycle and dreams of becoming an engineer when he grows up. However, ten days ago, Abdullahi began suffering from paroxysmal cough, fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Initially treated with herbal concoctions without any improvement, his condition worsened two days ago. This morning, a volunteer visited their home and referred him to the UMD clinic for examination.

Abdullahi is a four-year-old cheerful boy from a family living in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. His family, having lost all means of livelihood due to the decades-long insurgency by Boko Haram, depends heavily on humanitarian aid from non-governmental organizations. Abdullahi loves riding his bicycle and dreams of becoming an engineer when he grows up. However, ten days ago, Abdullahi began suffering from paroxysmal cough, fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Initially treated with herbal concoctions without any improvement, his condition worsened two days ago. This morning, a volunteer visited their home and referred him to the UMD clinic for examination. He was diagnosed of pertusis by the Doctors UMD and immediately, admitted for treatment on 11th April, 2024.He was treated with antibiotics, analgesics and cough syrups.He was discharged home on 14th April,2024.

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.