Ruth C., 17

Ruth comes from a family that has long struggled to meet basic needs. Her parents rely on irregular, small sources of income, and their modest home, built from simple materials, offers limited space and little privacy. During rains, water sometimes leaks through the roof, and electricity and clean water are not always reliable. The family often fetches water from distant sources and cooks with firewood or charcoal, stretching meager meals to last through the week. Despite these hardships, the family remains resilient. Ruth has grown up learning responsibility, helping with chores, and sharing what little they have. Ruth was brought to the facility by her mother with complaints of breast swelling, painful lumps, and high fever for the past two weeks. She had stopped breastfeeding her five-month-old child a month ago to focus on supporting the family. She was having rigors and chills and was running a fever too. She looked quite unwell She was diagnosed with multiple, extensive breast abscesses, which were severe and overwhelming in nature, requiring urgent and extensive surgical drainage due to the seriousness and distressing extent of the infection.

Examination, laboratory tests, and X-ray confirmed a diagnosis of breast abscess with anemia. The medical team recommended incision and drainage of the pus, which was successfully performed, and Ruth is now recovering well.

Following the incision and drainage of the breast abscesses, Ruth’s condition is expected to improve steadily. With the pus effectively drained and the infection treated with antibiotics, pain and swelling should resolve within days, and the risk of further complications is significantly reduced. Concurrent management of her anemia through appropriate medications will help restore her energy levels and overall health; however the level of her blood has to be checked frequently as serious infections such as these can exacerbate anaemia by increasing inflammation, suppressing red blood cell production, and accelerating the destruction or loss of red blood cells.