Babagana L., 11

Babagana is a happy 11-year-old whose dad is a taxi driver. She enjoys playing with her friends and wants to be a health worker when she grows up. Five days ago, she started coughing, had a headache, fever, chest pain, a stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, feeling sick, and her nose was congested. This morning, she had trouble breathing, her nose was running more, and she had a little nosebleed. She was brought to the hospital for help. The doctors found out she has an Acute Respiratory Tract Infection and she needs to be treated right away.

Babagana was admitted with an acute respiratory tract infection and malaria. She was treated with antibiotics, antimalarials, multivitamins, and antipyretic/analgesics. After successful treatment, she was discharged on January 3, 2024. Babagana has fully recovered, with the infection cleared, and is now feeling much better. She is back to playing with her friends.

If an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is not treated, it can weaken the immune system and the body's natural defenses. This can make it easier for other infections, such as bacterial sinusitis or ear infections, to develop as secondary complications. If the URTI is caused by a contagious virus (e.g., the common cold or influenza), untreated individuals can continue to spread the infection to others, potentially leading to outbreaks in close-contact settings like schools or workplaces.