Habiba A., 19

Habiba She is the first child in a family of three children, living in Amshi village with her parents and younger siblings. Her father is a fisherman, while her mother sells yam in the local market. Despite their hard work, their combined income is about 9,000 Naira, which is barely enough to meet the family’s daily needs. Habiba was admitted to Ayaji Hospital with a one-week history of high-grade fever accompanied by chills, rigors, headache, and dizziness. She also reported lower abdominal pain and a one-month history of vaginal discharge. Before presentation, she had self-medicated with antimalarial and antibiotic drugs purchased from patent medicine vendors, with no improvement. She is from a low-income monogamous family of five children. Her father is a farmer earning approximately ₦2,900 daily, which limited access to adequate healthcare. Diagnosed with Severe malaria complicated by chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Treatment and Recovery of Habiba Habiba was managed for severe malaria with intravenous artesunate, followed by oral artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). She also received intravenous fluids, paracetamol, and blood monitoring for stabilization. For chronic PID, she was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole, later switched to oral antibiotics to complete the course. Analgesics were given for pain relief. She responded well to treatment, with resolution of fever, headache, dizziness, and significant improvement in abdominal pain and vaginal discharge. She was discharged in stable condition with follow-up care instructions.

Habiba presents with severe malaria complicated by chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition requiring urgent and comprehensive management. Severe malaria, as evidenced by high-grade fever and a strongly positive malaria test (+++). The doctor’s priority is to initiate aggressive antimalarial therapy (preferably parenteral treatment), alongside broad-spectrum antibiotics to manage PID. Prognosis is better with prompt and appropriate management, severe malaria is reversible, and the patient can recover fully from the acute phase. However, chronic PID may have long-term consequences, include infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or risk of ectopic pregnancy. Early and complete treatment of the infection improves outcomes and reduces the risk of such complications.