Mission: To save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.
Family Stories

The Haynes Family

FFF Advocate:
Latasha Haynes
Place of Residence:
Tacoma, WA
Survivor:
34 years old, 2017
Share this Story:
<< Back to Family Stories

Latasha Haynes

Latasha was a healthy, active 34-year-old when what seemed like a simple illness turned into pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

 

Tash’s Flu Illness
In January 2017, Latasha (“Tash”) was a healthy, active 34-year-old with a flourishing photography business that took her all over the world. Aside from her busy professional life, Tash was also a very active volunteer, helping to empower young women through various educational programs. All of that changed suddenly when Tash fell ill with what she thought initially was just a little bug she caught from another family member. Over the next few weeks, Tash’s symptoms began to worsen. She developed a cough, was exhausted all of the time, and had no appetite.

In mid-February, Tash finally sought medical attention when it was difficult for her to even get out of bed in the morning. She went to a local urgent care where they tested her for strep throat (it was negative) and sent her home with some pain relief medicine. Over the next week, Tash’s symptoms did not resolve but continued to worsen. She visited the emergency room two times that week where she was told she had high levels of inflammation likely brought on by a virus. She was administered fluids and sent home.

After returning home, Tash’s symptoms did not resolve. Rather, she woke the next day (March 1) with very labored breathing and intense pain throughout her whole body.

Flu’s Effects on Her Heart
When she went back to the emergency room, the doctors indicated to Tash that something was wrong with her heart, but they needed to do more tests. Tash was admitted to the hospital that day and her condition quickly deteriorated over the next 24 hours. Her heart rate became quite elevated and her blood pressure dropped to dangerously low levels. Tash was literally near death. Over the next four days, Tash was given two blood transfusions and slowly began to improve. She spent six days in critical care and 16 days total in the hospital.

Tash’s medical diagnosis was pneumonia and congestive heart failure caused by myocarditis and pericarditis brought on by the flu virus. She had tested positive for influenza.

Recovery from Flu Hospitalization
Since her illness, Tash has regained much of her health but has some lasting medical conditions (e.g., arthritis) as a result of her illness. Coincidentally, prior to her experience with heart failure, Tash had worked with the American Heart Association as a professional photographer. She now knows firsthand how important heart health is, and how dangerous influenza can be. Tash is now an outspoken advocate for women’s health and stresses how important annual flu vaccination is for everyone six months and older.

Share this Story:
<< Back to Family Stories
Stay Informed
Sign up for our Weekly Flu News and quarterly newsletter, Fighting Influenza, to stay up-to-date on the latest flu news.
Newsletter

LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT

You are required to accept all of the terms and conditions in this License Agreement in order to receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU, INC. logo, displayed below (the “FFF Logo”), from Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (“FFF”). In order to accept these terms and conditions, you must click the “I Accept” button below.

  1. FFF hereby grants to you, and you accept, a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FFF Logo, which you may download and use solely in online and print earned media publications for a period of no more than six (6) months in the United States.
  2. You acknowledge that the FFF Logo is a valid trademark; that FFF is the sole owner of the FFF Logo; and that FFF retains all right, title, and interest in and to the FFF Logo. You agree that any and all use that you make of the FFF Logo, and any and all goodwill arising from your use of the FFF Logo, shall inure exclusively to the benefit of FFF.  You also agree that you shall not challenge the validity of the FFF Logo or FFF’s ownership or title thereto during the term of the License Agreement or thereafter.
  3. You agree that you shall use the FFF Logo only in the form shown above, and that you shall not alter, modify, change, or edit the FFF Logo in any manner.
  4. You acknowledge the valuable goodwill and reputation in the FFF Logo, and that it is essential that the high standards and reputation associated with the FFF Logo be maintained. You therefore agree to use the FFF Logo consistent with the highest standards of quality so as to protect and maintain the FFF Logo and FFF’s rights therein.
  5. FFF shall have the right to review and inspect your use of the FFF Logo at any time. FFF, in its sole discretion, may determine that you are not using the FFF Logo in an acceptable manner and require that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo.  To the extent that FFF requires that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo, you agree that you shall remove the FFF Logo from all online and print earned media publications as soon as practicable under the circumstances, and that you shall not use the FFF at any time in the future.
  6. You must include the following notice in connection with any use of the FFF Logo: “The Families Fighting Flu, Inc. logo is the registered trademark of Families Fighting Flu, Inc.”
I Accept