A mother got the flu from her children — and was dead two days later

This story begins on Thanksgiving in Phoenix, Arizona. Initially, the children fell ill, exhibiting flu-like symptoms. This began spreading until everyone in the family also became sick. After some time, everyone recovered, except for the twenty year old mother of the two children. Her name is Alani “Joe” Murrieta. After her condition worsened, she finally went to urgent clinic. There, she was prescribed Tamiflu, a neuraminidase inhibitor used to treat against influenza.

However, her condition did not improve. Eventually, she began coughing up blood. After a couple of days, unfortunately, she passed away due to pneumonia. This news shocked the whole family. Everyone else in the family that exhibited the symptoms Alani had recovered while Alani sadly did not.

This chilling story is a striking example of the potential consequences of not being vaccinated against influenza. Experts believe if a vaccinated person gets the flu, which is much less likely compared to an unvaccinated person, the symptoms are more slight for the vaccinated. According to the CDC, this year alone, at least 6000 people have been infected with influenza, which is much higher than previous years. The dominant strain that is circulating for this flu season is H3N2, which has caused more devastation than previously circulating strains. Although it is difficult to assert that vaccination would have saved Alani’s life, it is certainly important noting the grave importance of vaccination to protect against influenza.

Eyasu Kebede

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/12/07/a-mother-got-the-flu-from-her-children-and-was-dead-two-days-later/?utm_term=.96994a5792ad