Derick O., 20

Derick is a 20-year-old young man and the firstborn in a family of nine children, seven of whom are still alive. He is a Form Two student at a local public secondary school. Following the death of his father, his mother became the family's sole provider, earning about KSh 2,000 per month by washing clothes for other households. The family lives in a small two-room mud house without electricity and struggles to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education. Despite these hardships, Derick remains committed to his education and hopes to build a better future. Four days before admission, Derick developed severe epigastric pain, abdominal bloating, persistent diarrhea, headache, chills, nausea, and poor appetite. His mother purchased over-the-counter medication, but his condition continued to worsen, leaving him weak, unable to eat comfortably, and in significant pain. At the hospital, clinical assessment and laboratory investigations confirmed Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease and typhoid fever. Owing to the severity of his illness and the family's financial hardship, Derick was referred to Helpster Charity, admitted for inpatient treatment, and started on appropriate medication with close medical monitoring.

Derick was diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease and typhoid fever, both of which required inpatient treatment. The combination of severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, and systemic infection placed him at risk of dehydration, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, and bloodstream infection if left untreated. He was admitted for intravenous fluids, antibiotics, acid-suppressing medication, pain control, nutritional support, and close monitoring. Prognosis is good and he is expected to recover fully and resume his normal daily activities.