This is when a particular type of drug is unable to destroy a particular type of infective organism that it previously destroyed. This may occur in an individual and cause a mutation of the organism that is later spread to other people in the same lifetime and future generations. It is therefore a public health concern and not only an individual problem.
What does it mean, when one says I am using an antibiotic unsafely?

There are various ways we can use antibiotics in the wrong way and increase resistance to ourselves and future generations. Here are a few examples:-

When you purchase an antibiotic over the counter that may not be necessary for treating the symptoms or infection that your child is having. This is common when one takes antibacterial medication like amoxicillin for a viral throat infection or a common cold. This is common when your child has fever and your doctor has not prescribed an antibiotic after the consultation and blood tests.
When you do not complete the dose of your medication after feeling better
When you share antibiotics among siblings, neighbours or friends
When you do not follow the correct timings e.g. if your child has to go to school and you have a prescription that requires to be administered when they are in school. It is advisable to raise this concern with your doctor
When you do not have means of refrigeration and take an antibiotic that requires to remain in certain temperatures. Inform your doctor before taking the prescription
When you adjust the dose that may have been calculated by a qualified medical practitioner to what you may think is the right dose probably from previous experiences. Antibiotic doses are specific to the type of infection, age and weight of the child therefore the same type of medication may have different doses.
Consult our medical team if you have any concern about antibiotics. This may be any registered medical doctor, paediatrician, pharmacist at the outpatient general paediatric department.

Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite known as plasmodium. It is transmitted by a specific type of mosquito commonly found in some areas of Kenya and other parts of the world. The endemic areas in Kenya include Western Kenya, Nyanza and some parts of Coast.

Fever is the major symptom of malaria within 3 months of travel to a malaria endemic area.
Chills and rigors
Headaches
Muscle and joint aches
Reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting

Your child`s blood will be taken for testing in the laboratory. The best confirmatory test is known as a blood slide. An antigen test may also be undertaken. Other blood tests may also be conducted to determine how severe the malaria is and whether it has affected any other organs or functions in various body tissues.

If your child`s laboratory test is negative yet your child has a fever and had travelled to a malaria endemic area, your doctor will advise repeated testing and follow-up.

When malaria is uncomplicated it is treated as outpatient using a tablet known as Artemether/Lumefantrine (AL). These tablets are calculated according to the child`s weight and are taken twice a day for three days.

It is very important to adhere to the treatment dosage as prescribed.

If you are travelling to an area that may not have access to healthcare you may be advised to carry a dose of AL after a review consultation with your doctor at the general outpatient clinic.

The treatment for malaria applies even for children who are HIV positive

For children who are below 2 months of age( 5kg) they should be carefully re-examined for all other causes of fever at the general paediatric clinic or specialist neonatology clinic. They are treated using quinine.

In the case of treatment failure, your paediatrician should assess your child and advice on second line treatment

This is malaria characterised by fever plus one of the following:-

Loss of consciousness
Inability to drink or take orally
Low blood glucose
Difficulty breathing with severe anaemia
Severe malaria is a medical emergency . Your child may also be unable to walk, have convulsions, start bleeding , have jaundice( yellowing of the eyes) or pass discoloured urine known as haemoglobinuria.

Severe malaria is treated using intravenous medication( antimalarial given through the veins) and requires immediate assessment , confirmation of diagnosis and onset of treatment,.