A 4-year-old died of flu complications. Her mother has a message for other parents
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Four-year-old Ellie Rudd from Ogden, Utah, died on January 6 from pneumonia and sepsis caused by the flu and an adenovirus co-infection, despite being previously healthy and active.
- This flu season in the U.S. has already resulted in at least 17 pediatric deaths, with outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms reaching a 30-year high due to a new virus strain, subclade K, not covered by this year’s flu vaccine.
- Ellie’s illness progressed rapidly after initial symptoms, leading to severe complications including pneumonia, sepsis, blood clots, and a fatal stroke despite intensive medical interventions such as ECMO.
- Pediatric infectious disease experts emphasize the importance of monitoring breathing, neurological symptoms
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