Emmanuel O., 12

Emmanuel is a 12-year-old pupil in Primary School. He lives with his family. His mother reports that he continues to perform well academically. Emmanuel enjoys playing football with his friends and hopes to become a teacher in the future. He began experiencing headaches, abdominal pain, and coughing for two days before being brought to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. A malaria test was conducted, and he was diagnosed with severe malaria and an acute upper respiratory tract infection.

Emmanuel was started on intravenous Artesunate 39 mg administered at 0, 12, and 24 hours to manage the severe malaria. He also received oral Paracetamol 1 gram, taken three times daily for three days to control fever and relieve pain. In addition, he was given oral Artemether–Lumefantrine (AL) dose II, taken twice daily for three days as part of the malaria treatment course. To address the accompanying upper respiratory tract infection, Emmanuel was started on intravenous Ceftriaxone 1 gram once daily for five days. Once his condition improved and he was stable enough for discharge, he was sent home with oral AL (dose II) to be taken twice daily for three more days and oral antibiotics to be taken twice daily for five days to complete the full course of treatment.

The diagnosis was timely and appropriate treatment for severe malaria and acute upper respiratory tract infection is being given, therefore Emmanuel’s prognosis is very good. Children typically respond well to anti-malarial therapy and supportive care when treatment begins early, as in Emmanuel's case. His symptoms are expected to continue improving over the next few days, and full recovery is likely.