Elida H., 17

Elida is a 17-year-old girl living in Makoko with her mother and four siblings. She helps her mother care for the children, cook, and sell food. Although she has never attended school, she hopes to learn tailoring and become a tailor. Her mother sells cooked food, while her father lives in Badagry and works as a petty trader. The family earns approximately ₦15,500 monthly, making it difficult to meet their basic needs. About two weeks ago, Elida’s mother returned from visiting her father and found her weak and unwell. Elida had fever, cough, catarrh, body weakness, and loss of appetite. Despite receiving treatment from a community nurse for over a week, she did not improve. At a medical outreach in Makoko, examination revealed low blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, and an enlarged liver. She was suspected to have severe malaria or a urinary tract infection, with sepsis needing to be ruled out. She requires prompt treatment and close monitoring to support her recovery.

Initiate aggressive acute inpatient management with intravenous antibiotics, antipyretics, and intramuscular antimalarial treatment to stabilize her condition. Treatment and the subsequent oral regimen will eliminate the infection and effectively manage her lingering symptoms. With full compliance with the prescribed course of medication, her clinical prognosis remains favorable for a full recovery. If left untreated, malaria may progress to severe illness and cause anaemia or organ complications, while an upper respiratory tract infection may worsen or lead to complications such as pneumonia.