malaria

Anthony is better now, but malnutrition leads to other diseases

By Good Goes on 4.20.12

To see Anthony today, a bubbly toddler, you would never know that just a few months ago he was fighting for his life. With care and medicines from a Save the Children-trained health worker, Anthony won his battle against deadly malaria. But his war is not over – his main enemy, chronic malnutrition.

Quick Treatment for Mariam

By Salif Diarra on 4.5.12

It was a rough month for the children here. I saw four small children with malaria, diarrhea and vomiting. The most serious case was a 5-month girl named Mariam. She is the fifth child of the Bagayoko family – she has three sisters and one brother. On Friday evening, Mariam's mother noticed she had a fever and she seemed lightheaded, like she might faint. Mariam refused to breastfeed and she no longer wanted to play with her sisters. Then she started having diarrhea and vomiting. Fortunately, the mother did not wait to come to me for help.

Anthony’s Fever was Actually Malaria

By Chisomo Boxer on 2.7.12

Recently, a boy in my village named Anthony developed a fever and diarrhea. His forehead was hot and he stopped playing. His mother thought he was coming down with the flu or that his teeth were coming in and causing the fever, so she wasn’t worried. But during the night, Anthony’s fever got even worse and he became agitated. In the morning, the mother rushed with Anthony to my house. I examined the boy and told the mother that he had malaria.

Quick Treatment Is Important to Cure Malaria

By Salif Diarra on 11.29.11

A couple of weeks ago, a father named Modibo came to see me, desperate for help. His 16-month-old son Keba had suddenly become very ill. Keba’s body was unusually hot and he was feverish. The minute I saw the child, I recognized the signs and could tell he had a severe case of malaria. I told the parents to take Keba to the community health center as quickly as possible. They jumped on their motorcycle and went right away. Keba received treatment, and his health improved after taking medicine for three days.

Home Remedies Didn’t Cure Waraba’s Malaria

By Salif Diarra on 8.26.11

Recently, a father from my village came to see me. He was worried about his youngest child, a 2-year-old girl named Waraba. I went to their house and Adama, the mother, explained to me that she began to think something was wrong when Waraba refused to eat all day. I examined the child. She had a high fever and wouldn’t stop shivering. She cried constantly and her face was drenched in tears and sweat. I asked how long Waraba had been in this state, and her mother said she’d been ill for two days.