Precious S., 12

Precious lives with her mother. She likes singing and is a member of the school choir. She takes her studies seriously and would like to be a doctor when she grows up. Her favorite meal is ugali (cornmeal) and beef stew. At her age, she knows how to cook family meals and she helps her mother with several house chores. She complained of having a headache, cough, general body weakness, chest pain and dizziness. The symptoms got worse by the day and on the day she came to the hospital, she could barely walk due to the general body weakness and the dizziness.

While in the ward, Precious was given;IV Quinine,in 500mls dextrose 5% IV X-pen, P.O AL (III).IV Ceftriaxone and was dicharged on Cephalexine.

If an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is not treated, it can weaken the immune system and the body's natural defenses. This can make it easier for other infections, such as bacterial sinusitis or ear infections, to develop as secondary complications. If the URTI is caused by a contagious virus (e.g., the common cold or influenza), untreated individuals can continue to spread the infection to others, potentially leading to outbreaks in close-contact settings like schools or workplaces. 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.