Ann W., 18

Ann, an 18-year-old girl, lives with her parents. She's humble and hardworking, enjoying cooking and gardening in her spare time. Currently in school, she's preparing for her final secondary examinations this year. Her dream is to become an agricultural extension officer in the future. Ann recently visited the hospital complaining of epigastric pain, headache, joint pains accompanied by chills and rigors for the past 3 days. Additionally, she has been experiencing a productive cough.

She presented to the hospital with complains of epigastric pain, headache, joint pains with rigors and chills for the past 3 days. She also had a productive cough. She was diagnosed with gastritis, malaria and pneumonia and admitted into the in-patient department. She improved markedly after 3 days with the medication that she was given in the hospital and was discharged. She has since resumed her studies in school.

Treating peptic ulcer disease generally involves a combination of medications to reduce stomach acid and, if applicable, eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. An untreated ulcer can burn through the wall of the stomach or small intestine, causing a serious, life-threatening infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).