Ezra K., 7

Ezra Kiplagat is a 7-year-old boy from Turkwo Village, currently in grade 2 at Turkwo Primary School. His parents work as casual laborers and struggle to provide for the family’s needs. He enjoys reading in his free time. The family learned about Helpster through a site visit by Tionycare Hospital. Ezra remained healthy until about a week ago when he started experiencing lower abdominal pain and frequent urges to pass urine. The symptoms were on and off. He was diagnosed and given appropriate treatment, and his condition has been steadily improving since then. Ezra had been treated twice before as an out patient, but the symptoms kept recurring, prompting the doctor to admit him this time, to be given intravenous medication and have a thorough medical evaluation and management.

Ezra Kiplagat, a 7-year-old boy, was brought to the hospital by his guardian after complaining of painful urination (dysuria), frequent urges to use the toilet, and discomfort in his lower abdomen. He also appeared unusually tired and irritable. After a thorough examination and lab tests, Ezra was diagnosed with cystitis, an infection of the bladder, along with gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining. To address the infections, doctors started him on ceftriaxone and gentamycin, strong antibiotics that helped fight the bacterial cause of his cystitis. To relieve the stomach discomfort caused by gastritis, he was also given esomeprazole, a medication that reduces stomach acid. Paracetamol was used to ease his pain and bring down any fever. Within a few days of treatment, Ezra began to show signs of improvement—his abdominal pain reduced, his urination became more comfortable, and his energy slowly returned. After completing his course of medication and receiving plenty of rest, Ezra fully recovered and was soon back to his cheerful, playful self.

Ezra’s prognosis is excellent. Most cases respond well to intravenous antibiotics, adequate hydration, and follow-up care and he too will improve well. Since he had recurrent symptoms before admission, the hospital did a thorough evaluation and ruled out any underlying causes that may make him be admitted again for the same condition. The gastritis was well managed and he was counseled on avoiding the exacerbating factors.