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Super-fit dance teacher, 21, is killed by swine flu in just five days
By Andrew Levy
Last updated at 2:59 PM on 1st February 2011
Katie Roach
Katie Roach was fighting for breath within four days of being struck down with swine flu
Lithe, lean and strong from working eight hours a day as a dance teacher, Katie Roach was the picture of health.
But when the 21-year-old was struck down with swine flu, her fitness counted for nothing.
Soon she was desperately fighting for breath and within five days of being taken ill she died in hospital after suffering massive damage to her lungs.
Her devastated parents, James and Sharon, urged anyone with symptoms of the virus to seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
‘Don’t hesitate,’ said Mr Roach, 45, a gas engineer, at the family’s large detached home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
‘Even if you think it is just normal flu, have it checked out. It is so much better to be safe and make sure because no one should have to go through this.’
Katie, who had a younger brother, Robbie, 13, started dancing at the age of four and loved ballet, modern and tap.
She won a place at the North London Dance Studio near Enfield when she
was 17.
She went on to teach dance there and at Cheshunt Dance Studio.
On January 14 she told her family she did not feel well but ‘nothing too abnormal, just under the weather’.
She remained in bed and on January 18 complained of struggling to catch her breath.
Paramedics put her on oxygen which she continued using until her death the following day in the intensive care unit at Papworth Hospital near Cambridge.
Katie – who had not been given a flu jab – was put on powerful antibiotics by
doctors at the specialist cardiothoracic hospital but her body failed to respond.
Her father said: ‘The doctors told us she could not breathe for herself because the infection had done so much damage to her lungs. Everything was starting to shut down in her body.
Not forgotten: Katie Roach (left) and her friend Nadia Cole
Not forgotten: Katie Roach (left) and her friend Nadia Cole
‘The doctors started to reduce the assistance with her breathing and we were watching the monitors and her heart rate was dropping and dropping.
‘I was holding her hand, her mum was holding her other hand, and we were giving her kisses and she just slipped away.
‘If you are going to lose someone close, holding their hand and telling them you love them makes it more bearable.’
More...
* Disabled teenager died of swine flu after being refused GP appointment
His 46-year-old wife added: ‘We are just holding fond memories. We are trying not to think about what happened at the end.’
A tribute page to Katie has been set up on Facebook by two friends, one of whom wrote: ‘This came as a huge shock. She was such a great friend to so many people and touched so many hearts.
Katie Roach
Katie worked eight hours a day as a dance teacher
Katie Roach
Katie told her family she did not feel well but 'nothing too abnormal, just under the weather', but five days later she died in intensive care
‘The most amazing, beautiful, funny, talented person I have ever met. She always had a smile and never let anything get her down.
‘Katie wouldn’t want us to be down. Just remember all the good times you shared with her and all the memories. Life is unfair.
‘We all wish you were still here with us. Sweet dreams and carry on dancing.’
Nationally, the total number of flu fatalities so far this winter is put at 338. Thousands more have spent time in intensive care.
More than 90 per cent of victims had swine flu. The remainder had influenza B or H2N3, the two other strains in circulation.
Four in every five fatalities were from ‘at risk’ groups, including pregnant women and those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or Alzheimer’s.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...21-killed-swine-flu-5-days.html#ixzz1CmrAtiTD
By Andrew Levy
Last updated at 2:59 PM on 1st February 2011
Katie Roach
Katie Roach was fighting for breath within four days of being struck down with swine flu
Lithe, lean and strong from working eight hours a day as a dance teacher, Katie Roach was the picture of health.
But when the 21-year-old was struck down with swine flu, her fitness counted for nothing.
Soon she was desperately fighting for breath and within five days of being taken ill she died in hospital after suffering massive damage to her lungs.
Her devastated parents, James and Sharon, urged anyone with symptoms of the virus to seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
‘Don’t hesitate,’ said Mr Roach, 45, a gas engineer, at the family’s large detached home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
‘Even if you think it is just normal flu, have it checked out. It is so much better to be safe and make sure because no one should have to go through this.’
Katie, who had a younger brother, Robbie, 13, started dancing at the age of four and loved ballet, modern and tap.
She won a place at the North London Dance Studio near Enfield when she
was 17.
She went on to teach dance there and at Cheshunt Dance Studio.
On January 14 she told her family she did not feel well but ‘nothing too abnormal, just under the weather’.
She remained in bed and on January 18 complained of struggling to catch her breath.
Paramedics put her on oxygen which she continued using until her death the following day in the intensive care unit at Papworth Hospital near Cambridge.
Katie – who had not been given a flu jab – was put on powerful antibiotics by
doctors at the specialist cardiothoracic hospital but her body failed to respond.
Her father said: ‘The doctors told us she could not breathe for herself because the infection had done so much damage to her lungs. Everything was starting to shut down in her body.
Not forgotten: Katie Roach (left) and her friend Nadia Cole
Not forgotten: Katie Roach (left) and her friend Nadia Cole
‘The doctors started to reduce the assistance with her breathing and we were watching the monitors and her heart rate was dropping and dropping.
‘I was holding her hand, her mum was holding her other hand, and we were giving her kisses and she just slipped away.
‘If you are going to lose someone close, holding their hand and telling them you love them makes it more bearable.’
More...
* Disabled teenager died of swine flu after being refused GP appointment
His 46-year-old wife added: ‘We are just holding fond memories. We are trying not to think about what happened at the end.’
A tribute page to Katie has been set up on Facebook by two friends, one of whom wrote: ‘This came as a huge shock. She was such a great friend to so many people and touched so many hearts.
Katie Roach
Katie worked eight hours a day as a dance teacher
Katie Roach
Katie told her family she did not feel well but 'nothing too abnormal, just under the weather', but five days later she died in intensive care
‘The most amazing, beautiful, funny, talented person I have ever met. She always had a smile and never let anything get her down.
‘Katie wouldn’t want us to be down. Just remember all the good times you shared with her and all the memories. Life is unfair.
‘We all wish you were still here with us. Sweet dreams and carry on dancing.’
Nationally, the total number of flu fatalities so far this winter is put at 338. Thousands more have spent time in intensive care.
More than 90 per cent of victims had swine flu. The remainder had influenza B or H2N3, the two other strains in circulation.
Four in every five fatalities were from ‘at risk’ groups, including pregnant women and those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or Alzheimer’s.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...21-killed-swine-flu-5-days.html#ixzz1CmrAtiTD
