Table 1 Hypothetical case scenarios presented to caretakers

Scenario A (Severe pneumonia)

   - The child has had a frequent cough for three days

   - The child's cough makes it difficult for him or her to breastfeed or eat

   - The child's cough makes it difficult for him or her to sleep

   - The child's breathing has been faster than usual in the last few hours

   - The child's chest makes a noise with every breath

   - The child feels warm to the touch

Scenario B (Mild pneumonia)

   - The child has had an occasional cough for the past three days

   - The child is playing and eating normally

   - In the last few hours, the child's cough has become more frequent

   - The child feels warm to the touch

   - The child's breathing seems normal

Scenario C (Malaria)

   - The child is hot to the touch

   - The child is not eating or playing normally

   - The child's most recent stools have been more liquid than normal

   - The child is paler than usual

   - The child is less active than usual

Scenario D (Malaria plus pneumonia)

   - The child has been warm to the touch for the last three days and is now very hot

   - The child has a mild cough

   - The child has stopped playing and has become quieter than usual in the last few hours

   - The child's breathing has become faster

   - The child's chest makes a noise with every breath

   - The child's chest is moving very fast

   - The child is very pale

   - The child has experienced diarrhoea in the last few hours

   - The child has vomited in the last few hours