Latest news with #FluB
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
10-Year-Old Girl Dies After Flu Complications Left Her ‘Screaming' and Unable to ‘Feel Her Legs and Feet'
A Maryland family is mourning after a 10-year-old girl died from complications of the flu, just days after being dismissed from the hospital. Minka Aisha Greene, a healthy and active elementary school student, was considered the 'light' of her family. So, when the 10-year-old started having low energy and a lack of appetite in late January, her mother Kymesha Greene White was immediately concerned. 'We noticed her behavior changed because she normally doesn't get sick. This was like her first time getting sick,' Kymesha told DC News Now. Kymesha took her little girl to the emergency room and Minka was diagnosed with the flu and a UTI. She was given ibuprofen and sent home to rest. However, Minka started complaining about headaches so her mother took her back to the ER. During the second visit, she was given fluids and sent home again to rest. Minka's health ultimately took a turn for the worse on the morning of Feb. 6, when Kymesha found her daughter vomiting in bed. 'I heard her screaming, 'Mommy!' And I'm like, 'What's wrong?' That's when she said she couldn't feel her legs and her feet,' she recalled. Related: Girl, 9, Dies from Complications from the Flu: 'She Was Too Perfect for This World' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kymesha and her husband David White rushed their daughter, who had not had the flu vaccine, to the hospital. She told the Capitol Heights Daily Voice that on the way there, one of her daughter's eyes rolled to the back of her head and her tongue started moving uncontrollably. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Minka stopped breathing. Doctors performed CPR and other life-saving procedures but the parents were later told that their daughter had no brain activity. 'That was the last time I carried her, the last time I held her in my arms. I will cherish that for the rest of my life,' said David. Minka later died on Feb. 10 at the hospital. 'We had to let our baby go,' said Kymesha. Following Minka's death, the family learned that she suffered severe brain inflammation caused by the flu. They are now sharing their story in hopes of warning other parents. 'Advocate for your babies,' Kymesha said. 'When they say they're hurting, tell the doctors.' There are two types of influenza viruses: Flu A, and Flu B, according to Verywell Health. They both cause similar symptoms, like fever, body aches, and coughing. While Flu A is more common and thought to be more dangerous — the outlet reports that it accounted for 97% of cases during the 2022-2023 season — Flu B 'symptoms can range from mild to severe.' Additionally, the National Institute of Health reports that 'neurological complications occurred in one-fifth of hospitalized children due to influenza.' The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says, 'Flu can be more dangerous than the common cold for children' and recommends preventative measures — such as vaccination and frequent hand washing. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
9-year-old Alden girl dies after complications from flu
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The family of 9-year-old Mia Klyczek of Alden said doctors believe she died of complications from Flu B. Mia's mother, Christina, said her death is the most unimaginable heartbreak, adding that they're appreciative of the outpouring of community support and prayers. 'Heaven gained another angel tonight. God knew she was too perfect for this world. We will love you forever, Mia Sofia,' Christina said in a Facebook post late Sunday. Christina said Mia was typically a very healthy child. Mia did have asthma, but Christina is not sure if that contributed to the complications. Mia had a low-grade fever over the period of a day and was vomiting as if she had a stomach bug on Tuesday evening, Christina said. At that point, she said they weren't alarmed, but around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Mia was having a seizure and was taken to Oishei Children's Hospital, where she was intubated. Christina said it was discovered that Mia's heart wasn't functioning properly and there was brain hemorrhaging. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Thomas Russo, a professor and chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at the University at Buffalo, said complications from influenza involving the brain are rare, but very serious. Russo said generally, influenza symptoms can develop abruptly. 'Most commonly fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose,' Russo said. 'However, warning signs to be vigilant for are shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, confusion and rarely seizures. If any of those warning signs occur, it's best to reach out to your healthcare provider to see if a higher level of care is appropriate.' Russo said that overall, there tend to be more cases of Influenza A rather than B. He added that Influenza A tends to cause more serious disease and tends to show up earlier in the flu season than type B. Russo said the flu shot covers both these types of flu and that both flu types affect all age groups. Learn more about the GoFundMe for Mia here. Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flu, COVID, strep or norovirus? Here's what's spreading this cold and flu season in Austin
Coughing, sneezing, body aches, puffy eyes ... all of these symptoms are spreading around Central Texas, but coming from a few different sources. We asked local doctors what they are seeing in their clinics and urgent care. "Flu A, Flu A, Flu A," said Dr. Charu Sawhney, an internal medicine physician at Harbor Health in Round Rock. The Texas Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report backs that up. The positivity rates reached 41.61% of flu tests, with 95.44% coming back with Flu A, not Flu B. (Flu B is more common in children and doesn't mutate as quickly as Flu A.) Already in Travis County, two adults have died from flu this season. Peak flu season tends to be in February, but already in January, the levels of flu were higher than the four previous years. "To me, this feels like a pre-pandemic flu season," Sawhney said. People are coming in sicker and this flu is also lasting longer, with symptoms lingering seven to 14 days, Sawhney said. For people who are vaccinated for flu, their symptoms, if they have any at all, are only lasting a few days, she said. The reported flu numbers also might be lower than what is actually occurring because there are now over-the-counter tests for flu. If those tests come back positive, you should feel pretty confident that it is flu, said Dr. Tera Brooks, associate chief of family medicine at Austin Regional Clinic. She uses those tests when doing a telehealth visit. If the at-home home test is negative or if the test in the doctor's office is negative, you might need to retest in a few days if the symptoms continue. Sometimes, it's just too early to show up on those tests, Brooks said. Clinics also are seeing people come in with both flu and strep, especially among children. Strep does require a visit to the clinic for a diagnosis and then antibiotics to treat the illness. Cases of COVID-19 have been steady and not seeing the spike that is happening with flu. Typically doctors use a combined flu and COVID-19 test because the symptoms are similar. It is possible to have both. Brooks also has seen some norovirus and other stomach viruses. Those typically start in schools and then spread to the adults in the family. And she's seen mycoplasma pneumonia, also known as walking pneumonia, which is a bacterial infection. Allergies also have been a problem with mold in January and a few bouts of cedar fever at the beginning of December and some isolated days in January and February as the mountain juniper trees spread their pollen. Those allergies are often weather dependent, such as how much wind and how much rain. Ready for school? Know what vaccines are required in Texas and when to get flu, COVID shots Many of these ailments have similar symptoms. Without doing a test or seeing a doctor, it can be hard to know which one you have. Here are the typical symptoms for each illness: High fever of 102 degrees or higher Body aches Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Cough Chest congestion Headache Muscle aches Feeling very tired Sweating and chills Nausea Diarrhea Stomach pain Stomach issues are more common in children than adults Diagnosis: Flu test either with the new over-the-counter test or in the doctor's office Treatments: Antivirals for people who are older than 65 or have a chronic illness, symptom management Fever or chills Shortness of breath Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Cough Headache Loss of taste or smell Muscle aches or body aches Fatigue Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Nausea Stomach pain Stomach issues are more common in children than adults Diagnosis: COVID-19 test, either the over-the-counter one or in the doctor's office Treatments: Antivirals, especially for people who are older than 65 or have a chronic illness, symptom management Painful sore throat Painful swallowing Red and swollen tonsils Red spots on the roof of the mouth Tender, swollen lymph nodes Fever Headache Body aches Nausea or vomiting Diagnosis: Needs a test in a doctor's office Treatment: Needs antibiotics Diarrhea Nausea Vomiting Low-grade fever Abdominal bloating Diagnosis: Usually based on symptoms, though there are stool sample tests Treatment: Replenish fluids until it passes. Try small sips of water or mixing electrolytes (Gatorade) into water. Difficulty catching breath Chest pain Productive cough Fever Sore throat Diagnosis: Based on symptoms, then a chest X-ray Treatments: Antibiotics, hospitalization if it doesn't get better Cedar fever is coming. Prepare now for our worst allergy season. Facial pain or sinus pressure Very rarely a fever unless there is a sinus infection Sneezing Runny or itchy eyes Congestion/runny nose Itchy throat Cough from nasal drainage Headache Rash or hives Diagnosis: Rule out everything else. Allergy testing can be done when not feeling the symptoms. Treatments: Antihistamines and other mostly over-the-counter medications, nasal irrigation. Two people in Travis County die as high levels of flu hit Austin area; What are symptoms? For all of these illnesses except allergies, you should: Isolate the person into their own room if you can. Stay home until symptoms have passed, and you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medications. Wash hands frequently, but especially before eating. Wipe down surfaces. With flu, strep, COVID-19 or any respiratory infection, you should wear a mask around the person and have the infected person wear a mask. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Is it Flu, COVID or norovirus? Know what's spreading in Central Texas
