Ian W., 1

Ian’s mother was separated from her spouse while she was still pregnant. She now works as a casual laborer in people’s homes, often earning as little as KSh 50 a day to provide food for her family. Living in a rural area, she relies on water from a nearby stream and shares a toilet with neighboring households. According to the mother, Ian had been in good health until about a week ago, when he started experiencing difficulty in breathing and began passing loose stools. The breathing difficulty, which was accompanied by nasal congestion, developed gradually and was more noticeable in the afternoons. The diarrhea also began gradually, initially occurring about twice a day but later on worsening to more than four times in a day. He was brought to the hospital when he was in a very severe state.

Ian was diagnosed severe pneumonia and severe dehydration due to diarrhea. He was given antibiotics and rehydrating fluids. As he started feeling better, he was discharged from the hospital to continue his treatment at home.During the check-up call, the Helpster volunteer heard from a happily mother that Ian is nowfully recovered and back to his normal life.

The patient had Pneumonia ,URTI and diarrhea which are among the top causes of under 5 years mortality. while Ian was due for discharge on 10th of May 20225. Ian developed diarrhea and later had dehydration. Diarrhea in infants under one year with severe dehydration, significantly threatens babies because they lose fluids and electrolytes quickly. This can cause symptoms like lethargy, sunken eyes, a dry mouth, and decreased urination. Diarrhea can also cause malnutrition, as it impairs nutrient absorption and appetite, leading to poor weight gain and potentially long-term stunting and developmental issues. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Ian stayed in the hospital extensively as management and observation continued to avoid any possible relapse and any complications to a crisis