Neziah P., 1

Neziah is a 3-month-old infant, the youngest in her family, living with her parents in a low-income community in Bauchi. Her father is a labourer and her mother a housewife, and the family struggles to meet basic needs, including adequate nutrition and access to healthcare. They live in modest conditions without electricity. She developed a 2-week history of cough, nasal discharge, and noisy breathing, which initially improved with medication but later worsened after the drugs were exhausted. She also had intermittent fever. On examination, she was restless, febrile, and tachypneic with persistent noisy breathing. She was diagnosed with a severe lower respiratory tract infection, a serious condition requiring urgent medical care and close monitoring.

Neziah's illness dates back to 2 weeks, she suddenly developed cough with nasal discharge and noisy breathing which got better with medication but later reoccurred after exhausting the drugs. No vomiting or diarrhea. Fever is on and off and moderate. On examination a 3month old female infant with noisy breathing and is restless. Warm to touch, tachypneic, unicteric, acyanosed with no palor. The family heard about Helpster Charity through a beneficiary and they contacted a volunteer for help. She was diagnosed with severe lower respiratory tract infection and was placed on injection antibiotics like ceftriaxone, amoxiclav, some antipyretics and cough syrup. Patient was stable, cough stopped, breathing became normal and fever gone. She was discharged to be returned for follow up after a week.

Severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants is a serious condition affecting the lungs and airways, often presenting with cough, fever, fast breathing, and respiratory distress. Due to their immature immune systems, infants are at higher risk of rapid deterioration and complications such as hypoxia or respiratory failure if not promptly treated. With appropriate treatment, including antibiotics, supportive care, and close monitoring, recovery is achievable. Prognosis is generally good with timely intervention, but delayed or inadequate treatment may lead to worsening respiratory distress, complications, or death.