Sharon M., 16

Sharon is a 16-year-old girl and the firstborn in a family of three children. She is currently in Grade 12 at a rural senior school and actively participates in netball, which she enjoys during her free time. She comes from a low-income household, as her father operates a small business earning less than KSh 2,900 per month. The family lives in a two-room rented house, uses a community borehole for drinking water, and shares a pit latrine with neighbouring households. Despite these challenges, Sharon remains committed to her studies and aspires to become a nurse in the future to support the sick and improve community health. While at home, Sharon developed severe headache, high fever, persistent vomiting, and general body weakness, which significantly affected her ability to attend school. Due to financial constraints, her father was unable to afford medical care. He later shared her condition with a community health promoter, who linked the family to a volunteer from Helpster Charity. They were advised to take Sharon to Mechimeru Model Health Centre.

Sharon’s treatment for Severe Malaria and moderate anaemia would involve immediate medical care to control the malaria infection and restore her blood levels. At the health facility, doctors and nurses would administer antimalarial medication, provide fluids to prevent dehydration caused by vomiting and fever, and closely monitor her temperature and overall condition. She may also receive iron supplements, folic acid, nutritional support, or additional treatment to help improve the moderate anaemia and increase healthy red blood cells in her body. During treatment, Sharon would be advised to rest and attend regular follow-up checkups to monitor her recovery. With timely and proper medical care, she is expected to gradually regain strength, recover from the infection, improve her blood levels, and return to school and normal daily activities in good health.

Sharon presented with high fever, persistent vomiting, severe headache, and marked weakness and was diagnosed with severe malaria with moderate anaemia. She required urgent admission, antimalarial treatment, fluids, and supportive care. Financial constraints contributed to delayed access to care, leading to worsening symptoms before presentation. Patients respond well to treatment with improvement in fever, energy levels, and clinical stability. With continued monitoring and recovery of haemoglobin levels, her outcome is expected to be favourable.