This 21-year-old thought he had overcome a mild case of Covid-19. Then he went into organ failure

[SBFNews]

Spencer Rollyson says he didn't think much of it when he experienced mild coronavirus symptoms in May. Weeks later, the disease almost took his life.

"I never thought, at 21, I would be on the verge of death," he said.
Initially, the infection seemed just like the flu or a cold, he said, and the symptoms lasted for a few days.

"About a week and a half, two weeks later, I started feeling bad," he said.

Rollyson said he went to the emergency room with a 103.4-degree fever and doctors conducted several tests including chest X-rays and CT scans to find the root of the problem.

Everything came back clear, he says, but within 48 hours Rollyson was in the ICU.
"That's when everything started shutting down," he said. "In two days, my body rapidly declined."

The young man's harrowing experience illustrates a point health experts have been stressing when it comes to coronavirus in young groups of people.

While many seem to go through the infection without symptoms, there's still no telling how each individual will react to the virus.

Rollyson said doctors told him his body went into hyperactive mode trying to fight off coronavirus before he suffered heart failure, acute respiratory failure and severe sepsis.

Weeks since his recovery, Rollyson's heart rate is still monitored and he's still on medication for his blood pressure.

He says doctors have told him the medications will likely continue for at least another year.

"It almost took my life a month ago," he said. "So it is not something to play around with. Just be safe, wear your masks, wash your hands."

"I can't urge it enough."

 

[Leongsam]

Flu kills more young people than Covid-19 does.

 

[Leongsam]

thesun.co.uk

More people have died of the FLU than coronavirus for seven weeks in a row
Alex Winter

5-6 minutes


FLU has killed more people in the UK than coronavirus for seven weeks in a row, new stats reveal today.
Almost five times as many people are now dying of influenza or pneumonia than Covid-19, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates



Deaths from flu are now exceeding deaths from coronavirus



Coronavirus deaths are at the lowest level since the beginning of March, figures have revealedCredit: REUTERS

In the seven weeks up to July 31, the latest date for which figures are available, 2,992 people died of coronavirus - but 6,626 died of flu or pneumonia.
A total of 1,002 died of influenza in the week up to June 19 - compared to 783 Covid-19 deaths.

The gap has widened each week up to the end of last month when flu killed 928 people - almost five times as many as the 193 who lost their lives to coronavirus.

Overall during that seven-week time frame, 6,626 people died of flu - and 2,992 died of coronavirus.

Flu deaths are also lower than the five-year average - highlighting the drop in coronavirus fatalities.

The reason for the drop in flu deaths isn't yet known, although it's believed it could be the result of increased hand-washing and mask wearing.

Some of those who die with coronavirus and flu will have the final cause of death recorded as 'pneumonia' - the illness which ultimately causes death.
It's likely that, as a result, there will be some overlap in figures.

However, even with that as a factor, more people are now dying of pneumonia caused by flu - and not coronavirus.

It comes as figures show coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are at the lowest level since before lockdown began in late March.

The number of people dying from the deadly bug has dropped drastically.

Fatalities are now around the same as they were 19 weeks ago.

Lockdown began in the UK on March 23. The strict laws are being eased in stages.

Across the whole of the UK, there have now been more than 56,800 deaths involving coronavirus, officials say.

The number is higher than the total released by the Government, which currently records the total as 46,595.

Most of those who lost their lives were 75 or older, with 38,578 people in this age group dying with the illness in total.

More Brits die of flu than coronavirus

For the past seven weeks, more Brits have been dying of flu than coronavirus

• In the week ending June 19, 1,002 people died with flu and 783 died with coronavirus
• In the week ending June 26, 938 people died with flu, and 606 with coronavirus
• In the week ending July 3, 1,004 people died with flu, and 532 with coronavirus
• In the week ending July 10, 917 people died with flu, and 366 with coronavirus
• In the week ending July 17, 879 people died with flu, and 295 with coronavirus
• In the week ending July 24, 958 people died with flu, and 217 with coronavirus
• In the week ending July 31, 928 people died with flu, and 193 with coronavirus

It was announced this afternoon that three different daily coronavirus death tolls are set to be published after Public Health England (PHE) were said to have “exaggerated” the tally.

Health secretary Matt Hancock ordered a review after scientists discovered that anyone who tests positive and later dies of Covid-19 is currently included in the PHE numbers – even if they recover, and are then hit by a bus months later.

A review is due to be published within days and three new tolls are expected to be used after a deal was reached between ministers and scientists.

 

[Leongsam]

washingtonpost.com

He was 21 and fit. He tried to push through the flu — and it killed him.
Lindsey Bever

3-4 minutes


Kyler Baughman seemed to be the face of fitness.

The aspiring personal trainer filled his Facebook page with photos of himself riding motorbikes and lifting weights. The 21-year-old once posted an image of a kettlebell with a skeleton, reading: “CrossFit, hard to kill.”

So when he came down with the flu, his mother said, he possibly assumed he simply needed rest.

“I think he thought, ‘I just got the flu; I’ll be all right,’ ” his mother, Beverly Baughman, told NBC affiliate WPXI.

But days after Christmas, Kyler Baughman was worse — coughing and running a fever, his family told the station.

They said he went to a nearby hospital, in western Pennsylvania — and, from there, was flown to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

Soon after, on Dec. 28, he died of “organ failure due to septic shock caused by influenza,” his mother told WPXI.

Kyler Baughman, from Latrobe, had gone home for the holidays with “a snotty nose,” his mother recalled in an interview earlier this week with WPXI.
“We saw him the 23rd for our family Christmas get-together and we noticed he wasn’t feeling well,” Beverly Baughman told the news station.

The day after Christmas, Kyler Baughman went back to work — he earned a living as a mover at a local furniture store and as an unloader at Walmart, according to his social media accounts.

But he could not make it through the day.

Olivia Marcanio, who was identified by WPXI as Baughman's fiancee, declined to comment to The Washington Post, but told the station that Kyler “just laid down and went about his day, and that was the day he was coughing and said his chest hurt. He had a mild cough.”

Now — not even two weeks after his death — his mother said: “It doesn’t seem real.”

Each year, as many as 650,000 people die from respiratory illnesses related to influenza — an increase from the previous decade, when that number was 250,000 to 500,000, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

“These figures indicate the high burden of influenza and its substantial social and economic cost to the world,” Peter Salama, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said last month. “They highlight the importance of influenza prevention for seasonal epidemics, as well as preparedness for pandemics.”

However, according to the CDC, “most people who get influenza will recover in several days to less than two weeks.” Complications range from sinus and other infections to pneumonia and organ failure.

The CDC reported that 6 percent of deaths in the United States during the week of Nov. 5 resulted from complications from pneumonia and influenza.
Kyler Baughman's family told WPXI that they do not believe he got a flu shot this year.

Then, when he got sick, “I just think he ignored it and thought it’d go away like most people,” his mother told the station.

According to his obituary, he enjoyed “motocross, reading, and going to the gym.”

That’s one reason his family wants to send this message to others: Listen to your body.

“Try and know your body. Don’t let things go,” Kyler Baughman’s father, Todd, told WPXI through tears. “Whenever you have a fever for multiple days, don’t let it go, get it taken care of.”

 

[Leongsam]

citizen-times.com

A North Carolina teen was healthy and athletic. The flu killed her in days.


8-10 minutes

CANTON - On the morning of Dec. 30, 15-year-old Lacie Rian Fisher grudgingly conceded she wouldn't be able to cheer at the Pisgah High basketball game that evening.

She'd been feeling achy and hadn't had much of an appetite for the past couple days, but she had hoped to rally in time for the game. Her dad knew she'd been exposed to the flu over the holidays, but he figured Lacie just had a garden-variety winter bug, given her only symptoms were the body ache and clammy skin.

She retreated to her room for a weekend of bed rest and apple juice.

When she hadn't improved by 9 a.m. Monday, Lacie threw on some clothes and climbed into her dad Keith's truck for the quarter-mile drive to her pediatrician. It was less than 72 hours after Lacie felt the first symptoms.

But when Lacie stepped out of the truck, "she just kind of screamed out a couple times," Fisher remembers. She crumpled to the ground, and "just went limp in my arms." Lacie would never regain consciousness.

By 4:45 p.m., Lacie Rian Fisher — athletic cheerleader, straight-A student and beloved friend — was gone.

Flu virus kills thousands each year

Every year, some 12,000-60,000 deaths in the United States are associated with the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overwhelmingly, flu victims fit the traditional profile of a vulnerable patient — the very young and the very old, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

But that can lead to a false sense of security for the young and able-bodied. People like Lacie, active and fit with no known pre-existing health conditions, are also susceptible to serious flu complications.

On her death certificate, Lacie's immediate cause of death is listed as septic shock — a severe form of sepsis — with Influenza B as an underlying cause of death.

When fighting any infection, the body releases a slurry of chemicals into the blood stream.

"Sepsis occurs when the body's response to these chemicals is out of balance, triggering changes that can damage multiple organ systems," according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Related:

• Answer Man: Are flu shots worth the trouble? 'Higher dose' vaccines?
• WNC child first in state to die of flu, NCDHHS says

"Anyone can get an infection and almost any infection can lead to sepsis," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both bacteria and viruses can trigger sepsis, so everything from a urinary tract infection to respiratory infections like pneumonia can be life threatening if left untreated.

Sepsis can set in extremely quickly, and the symptoms — high heart rate, extreme pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, confusion, clammy or sweaty skin, fever, shivering or feeling very cold — are easy to mistake for milder illnesses.

"Her levels were all over the place," Lacie's mom, Rosalind Fisher Payne, said. "It was affecting her heart, her liver ... every part of her body, every organ."
Sepsis requires emergency treatment, typically in the form of an aggressive course of antibiotics and intravenous fluids.

"As sepsis worsens, blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart and kidneys, becomes impaired," the Mayo Clinic's sepsis guide says. "Sepsis can also cause blood clots to form in your organs and in your arms, legs, fingers and toes — leading to varying degrees of organ failure and tissue death."
Septic shock involves a precipitous drop in blood pressure and abnormalities in circulatory systems, as well as changes to how the body uses energy and cells take up oxygen.

Septic shock is fatal to about 40% of patients, according to the CDC.

"The doctor at Mission (Hospital) ... told me that normally, the flu would not be severe enough to do this without some kind of other sickness or infection," Fisher said. "If there was something else, I just can't imagine what it was, to be honest with you."

Cautionary tale

Payne said she feels more like she lost her daughter to a car accident than to an illness.

"You do not think your child could have a cold or the flu and then be gone in just a few hours," she said. "(Her sister Kylie and I) did not get to be there with her before she passed and that absolutely kills us. You know, we didn't get to say goodbye."

Both of Lacie's parents are strong believers in flu shots, but as happens for so many families, that got lost in the fall shuffle this year.

Lacie saw her primary care provider twice in November — Fisher said he asked about a flu shot during those visits, but they decided to hold off due to a rash Lacie had on part of her body.

"I just didn't get her back to get a shot in December after she got better," Fisher said.

This year's vaccine was a "poor match" for Influenza B/Victoria, director Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. "It's not an awful match, but it's not a very good match."

Preliminary CDC data indicate the vaccine is effective against 58% of Influenza B/Victoria strains — it won't prevent the other 42% entirely, but it could help stop life-threatening complications.

The 2019-2020 flu vaccine has higher match rates with other strains of the virus, and public officials say it's still far and away the best way to protect yourself — and people around you who may not even know they're vulnerable.

"I'm certainly wondering ... if it wouldn't have helped her," Fisher said. "I wished I would have gotten it for her."

"I know that there's people out there that's afraid to get the flu shot. If there's just some way that I can get people to realize because of Lacie — get that shot," Payne said. "People just don't understand how bad it is. No, it's not just a cold, or a not-feel-good for a couple of days. I mean, this happened in hours."

"It certainly seems to me there's been getting to be more and more people that just don't think you should have any type of shots," Fisher said. "I'm just kind of in shock, that people ... don't believe in immunization."

They hope to channel their grief into positive change and tell Lacie's story to urge people to get flu shots in her honor.

Remembering Lacie
"She wanted to be the best at everything," Fisher said. "She had a real drive, whether it was cheerleading or band or her grades in school."

"Lacie has always had straight A's and she has come in here more than one time in tears and (told) me that she's basically failed and just had me scared to death," he said with a laugh. "And I find out that she'd had a 97 instead of a 98."

"And she said no, I could have done better, I could have done better," he said.

Her father remembers Lacie as a "big hugger." Even walking around the house some days, "we had to have hug time four or five times before I could get where I was going," he said. "She just wanted to love on you."

The Pisgah High community has overwhelmed the family with love and support in the past several weeks, Fisher said.

"I don't know how many hundreds of calls ... and it's just been unbelievable the way they took us in and took care of us," he said.

Friends and classmates at Pisgah High wore pink — Lacie's favorite color — in her honor.

“Lacie was just the biggest ball of light that you’ve ever seen,” Morgan Hill, Lacie's cheer teammate, told the Haywood County Mountaineer. “She was always smiling and happy to help anyone and just be a part of the team.

"If you were having a bad day, she would just go out of her way to make you happy. And she was always there to support and care about everyone. She was just one of the greatest people you’d ever meet.”

Morgan Smith, Pisgah's junior varsity cheer coach, told the Mountaineer she'd always remember Lacie's giving spirit.

“She was handing out sweatshirts to the ones that would get cold," Smith said.

"Lacie was a beautiful soul, and I am beyond thankful I was given the opportunity to coach her. Words cannot describe how much the Pisgah cheerleading program will miss her.”

"It certainly helps to have all the wonderful things people have said," Fisher told the Citizen Times. "Just sweet stories about a girl that had a smile on her face all the time and wanted everybody to be happy and do well. It's just a shame that we've lost her at such a young age.

"I knew she was a special girl but it certainly has blown me away that she was special to so many people in such a short lifetime," her dad said.

 

[Leongsam]

wfsb.com

Family remembers Waterbury teacher who died from the flu
Kaitlyn Naples, Olivia Lank, ,

3-4 minutes


HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -- Health officials say eight more people have died from flu complications, including a middle school teacher in Waterbury.

The number brought the total of flu-related deaths so far this season to 40.

Waterbury school officials confirmed to Eyewitness News on Thursday that a teacher was among those who have died from the flu.

Officials said Harley Gaafar, an ESL (English as a second language) teacher at West Side Middle School died.

Her family said she came down with the flu last week and she was diabetic, which complicated things.

"It was sugar, it was everything along with that, so they were trying to control a couple of things at once," said Lujan Gaafar, the victim's sister.
The district learned about Harley's death on Tuesday.

Grief counselors have been made available for students and staff.

"The school community is devastated and deeply saddened," Waterbury school officials said.

"Someone I knew, someone I've seen before just died, like out of nowhere," said Saxon Thomas, a student.

School officials say Harley's classroom is untouched, serving as somewhat of a memorial for an inspiring teacher who made such an impact on her community and was the pride of her family.

"It takes someone passing away to see how much love and support she really did have. The amount of people who reached out to us in the last two days has been amazing," Lujan Gaafar said.

Even in death, Harley's family is hoping she can still teach. They said this should be a reminder for everyone to get their flu shots, even if they're healthy.
The Waterbury Islamic Cultural Center released a statement saying, "It is with a heavy heart to report that Harley Gaafar (a young Muslim Girl who belongs to our Muslim Community of Greater Waterbury Area) passed away [Tuesday]."

The district is continuing to be vigilant in terms of cleaning and disinfecting schools.

The flu continues to be reported as widespread across the state.

A closer look at this week's flu statistics can be found here.

RELATED: Connecticut child's death linked to flu

According to the latest report, 7,991 patients tested positive for influenza as of Feb. 8 and 1,705 have been hospitalized.

Health experts remind people that washing hands often is a great way to prevent the illness, in addition to getting a flu shot. They said it's not too late to get one.

To find out where to get a flu vaccine, click here.

Flu season generally runs into late March.

Anyone who gets the flu can pass it to someone at high risk of severe illness, including children younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.

Health officials are reminding folks about what precautions to take to try to avoid getting sick:

• Cover your cough and wash your hands afterwards
• Wash hands frequently during the day with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available
• Stay home if you are sick to avoid infecting others
• Disinfects frequently touches surfaces in your home: counter tops, doorknobs, faucets

Copyright 2020 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

 

[Leongsam]

Connecticut child's death linked to flu

• Caitlin Francis, Rob Polansky
• Posted Feb 7, 2020

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A child's death in Connecticut has been linked to the flu.

According to the Department of Public Health, nine new flu-related deaths were reported in the state last week.
The report brought the total number of deaths this season to 32.

One of those deaths was a child, the DPH confirmed on Thursday.

RELATED: Child among recent deaths linked to flu

Officials said the child was between the ages of 1 and 5 and lived in New Haven County.

Information about whether or not the victim had a flu shot was not released.

The DPH said between 75 and 80 percent of children who die from flu-related complications are not vaccinated.

It also revealed that this season, the B-strain of the virus is especially strong. That's the strain more likely to affect children.

"We are especially looking closely at those age ranges to make sure that all those individuals follow that advice in getting vaccinated," said Alan Siniscalchi, Department of Public Health.

Health officials said that even though it's February, people can still get a flu shot.

They also recommend practicing good hygiene, washing hands, avoiding people who are sick and getting rest.

To find out where to get a flu vaccine, click here.

Flu season generally runs into late March.

Health officials are reminding folks about what precautions to take to try to avoid getting sick:

• Cover your cough and wash your hands afterwards
• Wash hands frequently during the day with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
• Stay home if you are sick to avoid infecting others.
• Disinfects frequently touches surfaces in your home: counter tops, doorknobs, faucets.

There are flu clinics available for folks across the state:
Meriden Health Dept. -- Available by appt., 203-630-422

 

[Leongsam]

womansday.com

17-Year-Old Dies of the Flu
By Alyssa Fiorentino

3 minutes





Healthy, active and full of life, 17-year-old Shannon Zwanziger was the last person her family would have ever guessed would pass away after just one week of having the flu.

Shannon was spending the week at home, her family providing ample liquids and care while the sickness ran its course. She slowly sat and scooted down the stairs on December 9, making her way to the bathroom to take a bath. "I helped her get in the bathtub, but when I saw her eyes, I said, 'I think this is a mistake—we've got to get you out of here,'" explains Gwen Zwanziger. Shannon didn't have the strength to lift herself out of the tub, and passed away in her mother's arms.

RELATED: Brittany Maynard's Mom and Husband Spent a Heart-Wrenching Holiday Without Her

Gwen administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to her unconscious daughter while her husband called 911. Medical respondents rushed Shannon to a hospital where they were able to find a slight heartbeat. Sadly, a few hours later her heart stopped.

An autopsy revealed that Shannon's liver gave out, and that she was sick from type A flu, but this does not answer her parents' question of how the sickness took the life of their beloved daughter.

RELATED: 6 Simple Ways to Avoid the Flu

The number of children who died of the flu spiked from a reported 37 during the 2011-2012 season to 171 the following year. By the 2013-2014 season the number of deaths decreased to 109, but it looks like there could be another jump this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have already been 15 children who have died from the illness as of December 20. Still, it's considerably early on in the flu season, which ranges from early fall to late spring.

Via CNN.com

 

[Leongsam]

Menu






Family Stories
The emotional stories of families whose lives have been permanently altered by the flu.

Our family stories put a face on the flu and illustrate why we’re so driven in our mission. Flu is a serious disease and we are all at risk, regardless of age, gender, health status, ethnicity, or lifestyle. We share these emotional family stories to educate others about the importance of flu prevention and annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older.
Here you’ll learn about various stories such as a four-year-old girl who went to bed with mild flu-like symptoms, never to wake up; a six-month-old baby boy who died only 30 hours after showing his first symptoms of being sick; and a 33-year-old woman who survived flu, but was hospitalized for three months and suffered an amputation above the knee as a result of her illness.
Our Stories...



The Allen Family
Madi was a healthy 12-year-old athlete before she spent a total of 93 days in the hospital recovering from her near-death experience with flu.
Read Madi’s story



The Andersen Family
Brittany’s infection with Influenza A started with a sore throat but rapidly escalated to every parent’s worst nightmare.
Read Britt’s story



The Booth Family
Austin’s parents wish they could rewind to before their nightmare began. The first thing they would do is get their children and themselves vaccinated against the flu.
Read Austin’s story





The Byerman Family
Bryerlee became hypoxic due to flu, which restricted her body from getting oxygen to her brain, liver, and other organs.
Read Bryerlee's story



The Cargile Family
Maya’s mother knows that a flu vaccine could have prevented their horrible ordeal.
Read Maya’s story



The Chandler Family
Chance's family did not know that the vaccine changes annually and, as such, people need to get vaccinated every year.
Read Chance's Story





The Cover Family
Three days after first exhibiting symptoms, the flu virus caused Elizabeth's lungs to fill with blood in a complication known as bi-lateral pneumonia.
Read Elizabeth's Story



The Craft Family
Chelsea was not vaccinated against H1N1 because at the time the vaccine was not available in her community.
Read Chelsea's Story



The Crane Family
Blake's parents did not know that people can die from flu until their 16-year-old son tragically passed away.
Read Blake's story





The D’Imperio Family
James had not been vaccinated against the flu because at the time the CDC did not recommend that children his age get vaccinated. Now, every year, James’ whole family gets vaccinated against the flu.
Read James's Story



The Das Family
Anakin was born 10 weeks premature as a result of his mother contracting influenza while pregnant. He now suffers from chronic lung disease.
Read Anakin's story



The Drapeau Family
Amiah was just 4-years-old when she developed pneumonia and sepsis, which were brought on by the influenza B virus.
Read Amiah's story





The Duvall Family
Luke was a healthy 15-year-old athlete who spent 12 days in a coma and 30 days in the hospital with flu.
Read Luke's Story



The Estlinbaum Family
Saying goodbye to Tony was something his parent’s hearts couldn’t or wouldn’t prepare for.
Read Tony's Story



The Fulweiler Family
At 40 years old, Nick was an active, healthy father whose flu illness resulted in a life-threatening hospitalization for 28 days, rehabilitation, and lifelong medical complications.
Read Nick's Story





The Gonzales Family
Brandon lost his life to H1N1 influenza. Brandon was not vaccinated against the flu.
Read Brandon's Story



The Gorenstein Family
Nate's asthma exacerbated his flu illness, leading to respiratory arrest and a 12-day stay in the hospital.
Read Nate's Story



The Hauver Family
Will was a young, successful college athlete who had a bright future. He was also a Type 1 diabetic. Will's flu illness progressed to diabetic ketoacidosis, causing him to lose his life in less than three days.
Read Will's Story





The Haynes Family
Latasha was a healthy, active 34-year-old when what seemed like a simple illness turned into pneumonia and congestive heart failure brought on by the flu virus.
Read Latasha's story



The Henderson Family
Elijah died from influenza just two days after showing his first symptom. He was not vaccinated against the flu.
Read Elijah's Story



The Holt Family
Joey had not been vaccinated against H1N1 because at the time the vaccine was not available in his community, and his mother was not informed enough to make a decision about whether or not to vaccinate her children.
Read Joey's Story





The Hunt Family
Amy lost her life to secondary complications caused by the influenza virus. She had not been vaccinated because it was not recommended by her family's doctor.
Read Amy's story



The Jackson Family
This tragedy has made Marques’ mother and grandfather crusaders for yearly influenza vaccinations.
Read Marques' Story



The Kanowitz Family
Amanda seemed to have a typical virus, but within 48 hours she was found lifeless in her bed.
Read Amanda's Story





The Lastinger Family
After she was bathed and dressed for the doctor’s office, Emily laid down in her parents’ bed to rest. She was found lifeless 15 minutes later.
Read Emily's Story



The Lin Family
Trevor had not been vaccinated against H1N1 influenza because at the time the vaccine was not available in his community.
Read Trevor's Story



The Lowery Family
Piper had not been vaccinated against the flu because she did not like needles. Piper’s mother, Pegy, is now an active advocate for annual flu vaccinations.
Read Piper's Story





The Mann-O'Brien Family
Kendra was a 35-year-old mother of two when she lost her life to flu.
Read Kendra's Story



The Marotta Family
Joseph had not been vaccinated against H1N1 influenza because at the time the vaccine was not available in his community.
Read Joseph's Story

 

[Leongsam]

The McCarthy Family
What seemed like a little “bug” that caused Ayzlee to be achy with a fever turned into her struggling for breath and fighting for her life.
Ready Ayzlee's Story





The McCormick Family
Ashley’s doctors had a hard time finding a hospital that had an available ECMO machine because it was the peak of the flu season and they were all being used.
Read Ashley's Story



The McGowan Family
Martin died of complications from influenza just 24 hours after his first symptom appeared.
Read Martin's Story



The McKinley-Rosen Family
Christopher had a sudden onset of Influenza B, which caused him to lose his ability to sit, crawl, walk, run, eat, and drink independently.
Read Christopher's Story





The Miller Family
Allison nearly lost her life to secondary flu complications, which included amputation of her left leg above the knee.
Read Allison's Story



The Miller Family
Caroline had been vaccinated against the flu every year. The one year her parents forgot, she ended up hospitalized with flu.
Read Caroline's Story



The Mitchell Family
As a result of her flu illness, Christa developed pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and septic shock, which led to the loss of her fingers and toes.
Read Christa's Story





The Moise Family
Ian died of complications from Influenza A approximately 30 hours after he showed his first symptom of being sick.
Read Ian's Story



The Neiman-Brown Family
JJ was a healthy two-year-old whose life was taken by flu in less than 24 hours.
Read JJ's story



The Northrop Family
As Liza's body tried to fight off her flu infection, her lungs became stiff and brittle, until they blew apart from what is known as pneumothorax.
Read Liza's story





The Nuland Family
Jacob’s mother knows that the vaccine may have saved his life – it may have given Jacob just enough protection to get through it.
Read Jacob's Story



The Palmer Family
Breanne died in her mother’s arms on December 23, 2003 from influenza A.
Read Breanne's Story



The Pena Family
Reese's mother thought the flu vaccine was optional since it is not always required. This one decision not to vaccinate her daughter forever changed her entire family’s life.
Read Reese's Story





The Peters Family
Brittney was a happy, healthy child with no history of chronic illness. Prior to her death, no one suggested that Brittney receive a flu vaccine.
Read Brittney's Story



The Pisani Family
Today, Antonio is a healthy child who gets vaccinated against influenza every year, as does his entire family.
Read Antonio's Story



The Pulgini Family
Cecilia was a healthy 45-year-old woman before she lost her life to flu after eight agonizing days in the hospital.
Read Cecilia's Story





The Rasmussen Family
Paul was a healthy 57-year-old who had never before gotten the flu. He didn't realize his first flu illness could kill him.
Read Paul's story



The Rogers Family
Jewel was hospitalized for over three months with complications of H1N1 flu. She still suffers flu-related complications to this day.
Read Jewel's Story



The Romero Family
Madison passed away from flu after her heart stopped beating for the fourth time.
Read Madison's story





The Sidari Family
Leon was healthy and vibrant. But that didn't keep him from dying on Christmas morning, only two days after showing general flu symptoms.
Read Leon's story



The Smith Family
In less than 48 hours, flu took the life of bubbly, joyous 3-year-old Cayden.
Read Cayden's Story



The Smith Family
In the blink of an eye, a parent’s worst nightmare became the Smith’s reality.
Read Noel's Story





The Spencer Family
Within just minutes of arriving at the hospital, the staff called a “code blue” because Julianna’s heart had stopped beating.
Read Julianna's Story



The Splan Family
The flu attacked Emma's heart, causing her to lose her life at just 6 years old.
Read Emma's Story



The Stein Family
When 4-year-old Jessica's heart stopped beating doctors attempted to revive her, but were unsuccessful.
Read Jessica's Story





The Tsoumbakos Family
For many months after contracting the flu, Ayla required a wheelchair and had difficulty walking unassisted.
Read Ayla's Story



The Vlasman Family
Marty spent six weeks in a coma due to flu. His heart stopped three times, his kidneys failed, and he lost over 100 pounds. He still stuffers with chronic health complications.
Read Marty's story



The Wehrkamp Family
Her family wants everyone to know how serious the flu can be, even for healthy children like Gianna.
Read Gianna's Story





The Yaksich Family
Within 24 hours of her arrival at the local hospital, Alana died of flu-related complications that caused swelling and injury to her brain.
Read Alana's Story





Page last reviewed: July 2020.





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[nirvarq]

Young Healthy and fit ? lol.........

17+ of the Oldest People in the World to Have Beaten COVID-19

https://interestingengineering.com/17-of-the-oldest-people-in-the-world-to-have-beaten-covid-19

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

citizen-times.com

A North Carolina teen was healthy and athletic. The flu killed her in days.


8-10 minutes

CANTON - On the morning of Dec. 30, 15-year-old Lacie Rian Fisher grudgingly conceded she wouldn't be able to cheer at the Pisgah High basketball game that evening.

She'd been feeling achy and hadn't had much of an appetite for the past couple days, but she had hoped to rally in time for the game. Her dad knew she'd been exposed to the flu over the holidays, but he figured Lacie just had a garden-variety winter bug, given her only symptoms were the body ache and clammy skin.

She retreated to her room for a weekend of bed rest and apple juice.

When she hadn't improved by 9 a.m. Monday, Lacie threw on some clothes and climbed into her dad Keith's truck for the quarter-mile drive to her pediatrician. It was less than 72 hours after Lacie felt the first symptoms.

But when Lacie stepped out of the truck, "she just kind of screamed out a couple times," Fisher remembers. She crumpled to the ground, and "just went limp in my arms." Lacie would never regain consciousness.

By 4:45 p.m., Lacie Rian Fisher — athletic cheerleader, straight-A student and beloved friend — was gone.

Flu virus kills thousands each year

Every year, some 12,000-60,000 deaths in the United States are associated with the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overwhelmingly, flu victims fit the traditional profile of a vulnerable patient — the very young and the very old, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

But that can lead to a false sense of security for the young and able-bodied. People like Lacie, active and fit with no known pre-existing health conditions, are also susceptible to serious flu complications.

On her death certificate, Lacie's immediate cause of death is listed as septic shock — a severe form of sepsis — with Influenza B as an underlying cause of death.

When fighting any infection, the body releases a slurry of chemicals into the blood stream.

"Sepsis occurs when the body's response to these chemicals is out of balance, triggering changes that can damage multiple organ systems," according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Related:

• Answer Man: Are flu shots worth the trouble? 'Higher dose' vaccines?
• WNC child first in state to die of flu, NCDHHS says

"Anyone can get an infection and almost any infection can lead to sepsis," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both bacteria and viruses can trigger sepsis, so everything from a urinary tract infection to respiratory infections like pneumonia can be life threatening if left untreated.

Sepsis can set in extremely quickly, and the symptoms — high heart rate, extreme pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, confusion, clammy or sweaty skin, fever, shivering or feeling very cold — are easy to mistake for milder illnesses.

"Her levels were all over the place," Lacie's mom, Rosalind Fisher Payne, said. "It was affecting her heart, her liver ... every part of her body, every organ."
Sepsis requires emergency treatment, typically in the form of an aggressive course of antibiotics and intravenous fluids.

"As sepsis worsens, blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart and kidneys, becomes impaired," the Mayo Clinic's sepsis guide says. "Sepsis can also cause blood clots to form in your organs and in your arms, legs, fingers and toes — leading to varying degrees of organ failure and tissue death."
Septic shock involves a precipitous drop in blood pressure and abnormalities in circulatory systems, as well as changes to how the body uses energy and cells take up oxygen.

Septic shock is fatal to about 40% of patients, according to the CDC.

"The doctor at Mission (Hospital) ... told me that normally, the flu would not be severe enough to do this without some kind of other sickness or infection," Fisher said. "If there was something else, I just can't imagine what it was, to be honest with you."

Cautionary tale

Payne said she feels more like she lost her daughter to a car accident than to an illness.

"You do not think your child could have a cold or the flu and then be gone in just a few hours," she said. "(Her sister Kylie and I) did not get to be there with her before she passed and that absolutely kills us. You know, we didn't get to say goodbye."

Both of Lacie's parents are strong believers in flu shots, but as happens for so many families, that got lost in the fall shuffle this year.

Lacie saw her primary care provider twice in November — Fisher said he asked about a flu shot during those visits, but they decided to hold off due to a rash Lacie had on part of her body.

"I just didn't get her back to get a shot in December after she got better," Fisher said.

This year's vaccine was a "poor match" for Influenza B/Victoria, director Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. "It's not an awful match, but it's not a very good match."

Preliminary CDC data indicate the vaccine is effective against 58% of Influenza B/Victoria strains — it won't prevent the other 42% entirely, but it could help stop life-threatening complications.

The 2019-2020 flu vaccine has higher match rates with other strains of the virus, and public officials say it's still far and away the best way to protect yourself — and people around you who may not even know they're vulnerable.

"I'm certainly wondering ... if it wouldn't have helped her," Fisher said. "I wished I would have gotten it for her."

"I know that there's people out there that's afraid to get the flu shot. If there's just some way that I can get people to realize because of Lacie — get that shot," Payne said. "People just don't understand how bad it is. No, it's not just a cold, or a not-feel-good for a couple of days. I mean, this happened in hours."

"It certainly seems to me there's been getting to be more and more people that just don't think you should have any type of shots," Fisher said. "I'm just kind of in shock, that people ... don't believe in immunization."

They hope to channel their grief into positive change and tell Lacie's story to urge people to get flu shots in her honor.

Remembering Lacie
"She wanted to be the best at everything," Fisher said. "She had a real drive, whether it was cheerleading or band or her grades in school."

"Lacie has always had straight A's and she has come in here more than one time in tears and (told) me that she's basically failed and just had me scared to death," he said with a laugh. "And I find out that she'd had a 97 instead of a 98."

"And she said no, I could have done better, I could have done better," he said.

Her father remembers Lacie as a "big hugger." Even walking around the house some days, "we had to have hug time four or five times before I could get where I was going," he said. "She just wanted to love on you."

The Pisgah High community has overwhelmed the family with love and support in the past several weeks, Fisher said.

"I don't know how many hundreds of calls ... and it's just been unbelievable the way they took us in and took care of us," he said.

Friends and classmates at Pisgah High wore pink — Lacie's favorite color — in her honor.

“Lacie was just the biggest ball of light that you’ve ever seen,” Morgan Hill, Lacie's cheer teammate, told the Haywood County Mountaineer. “She was always smiling and happy to help anyone and just be a part of the team.

"If you were having a bad day, she would just go out of her way to make you happy. And she was always there to support and care about everyone. She was just one of the greatest people you’d ever meet.”

Morgan Smith, Pisgah's junior varsity cheer coach, told the Mountaineer she'd always remember Lacie's giving spirit.

“She was handing out sweatshirts to the ones that would get cold," Smith said.

"Lacie was a beautiful soul, and I am beyond thankful I was given the opportunity to coach her. Words cannot describe how much the Pisgah cheerleading program will miss her.”

"It certainly helps to have all the wonderful things people have said," Fisher told the Citizen Times. "Just sweet stories about a girl that had a smile on her face all the time and wanted everybody to be happy and do well. It's just a shame that we've lost her at such a young age.

"I knew she was a special girl but it certainly has blown me away that she was special to so many people in such a short lifetime," her dad said.

Actually I know of a similar case in Singapore many years ago. A smart pretty sexy super fit young girl who was my classmate in JC. She went on to NUS while I did my NS. She was an aerobics instructor as well earning money to pay her Uni fees. One day while conducting her aerobics class, she collapsed and died. Autopsy showed she died of a heart failure due to influenza. Apparently she had a mild flu but still continued her aerobics class and paid the ultimate price. Very sad case.

 

[nayr69sg]

There is flu vaccine. But people wont take it.

 

[nirvarq]

Actually I know of a similar case in Singapore many years ago. A smart pretty sexy super fit young girl who was my classmate in JC. She went on to NUS while I did my NS. She was an aerobics instructor as well earning money to pay her Uni fees. One day while conducting her aerobics class, she collapsed and died. Autopsy showed she died of a heart failure due to influenza. Apparently she had a mild flu but still continued her aerobics class and paid the ultimate price. Very sad case.

Exhaustion can cause death it might be mild flu but the ultimate reason could be lack of sleep + heat-exhaustion due to exercise. But when a healthy fit person having a minor flu exercise, can be a boost if you're not already overly tired hence ultimately it's lack of wisdom/common sense or outright stupidity....

Autopsy will only shows mild flu and heart failure ofc.

 

[nirvarq]

There is flu vaccine. But people wont take it.

Flu vaccine is good but like if you take antibiotics all the time doesn't you increase the dose over time hence natural resistance is compromised ? Western medicine stop the virus or bacterial directly but in the long run other disease surfaces unless you heal from the root cause ?


Hence flu vaccine needs to be taken yearly. It becomes dependency ? In the long run it lowers the natural immunity...

 

[nirvarq]

Healing is natural to all living things. To effect healing all we need to do is to eradicate that action or food or condition which cause the disease and healing takes place, naturally.

 

[nayr69sg]

Flu vaccine is good but like if you take antibiotics all the time doesn't you increase the dose over time hence natural resistance is compromised ? Western medicine stop the virus or bacterial directly but in the long run other disease surfaces unless you heal from the root cause ?


Hence flu vaccine needs to be taken yearly. It becomes dependency ? In the long run it lowers the natural immunity...

The reason why flu vaccine is taken yearly is because it is made for different strains of flu virus.

CDC predicts which virus will be dominant then makes the vaccine.

Antibiotics kill bacteria not virus.

And antibiotics not the same as vaccine

 

[nayr69sg]

Healing is natural to all living things. To effect healing all we need to do is to eradicate that action or food or condition which cause the disease and healing takes place, naturally.

Yeah such a simple concept. So easy.

Problem is many diseases we have no idea what the cause is.

Also some conditions are not diseases. They are just symptoms.

Pain.

Anxiety.

Depression.

Insomnia.

Parkinson's disease

Multiple sclerosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autism

Cancer

Yes eliminate the cause by all means. Let me know what the cause is. One cause is life. With no life there is no such conditions or disease.

 

[nirvarq]

Yeah such a simple concept. So easy.

Problem is many diseases we have no idea what the cause is.

Also some conditions are not diseases. They are just symptoms.

Pain.

Anxiety.

Depression.

Insomnia.

Parkinson's disease

Multiple sclerosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autism

Cancer

Yes eliminate the cause by all means. Let me know what the cause is. One cause is life. With no life there is no such conditions or disease.

Fear, greed and ignorance. Common sense like rest, sleep, drink when thirsty, too hot under hot sun find shelter. Bad foods, sugar, coffee, spirits drinks etc but if we're constantly engaging in all these ofc ... many many diseases will surface.

 

[nirvarq]

The reason why flu vaccine is taken yearly is because it is made for different strains of flu virus.

CDC predicts which virus will be dominant then makes the vaccine.

Antibiotics kill bacteria not virus.

And antibiotics not the same as vaccine

Flu is not a disease it is the cure. The fever kills the bacterial. A averagely healthy person will ride it off easy without need of 'medicine' and the natural immunity ability will be enhanced.