- Personal Stories
Take Flu Symptoms Seriously In Memory of Julianna
Posted on December 17, 2021
The following article is guest authored by Julianna’s mom, Christina Granack.
Julianna was a very adventurous little 4-year-old girl! She was a huge fan of baby shark, which was her nickname, and loved watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Minnie Mouse. She loved climbing trees, biking, and exploring nature.
On December 27, 2019, my daughter had flu symptoms. We took her to urgent care where she wasn’t tested for the flu, but it was assumed she had the flu. We treated her with over-the-counter medication to control her fever and she seemed to improve over the day.
At 3 AM, we went into her bedroom where we found that she was having a seizure. We called 911 and she was taken to the hospital, where they found she had a 107-degree fever and experienced multiple organ failures. Eventually, her heart stopped beating because the flu was too severe to stop.
She passed away at the hospital on December 28, 2019, just one day after first showing flu-like symptoms. I share her story because I wish I had known how serious the flu can be and the importance of testing and treatment with antivirals.
With COVID-19 spreading at the same time as the flu, I urge you to take these symptoms seriously and ask your provider questions.
Testing is extremely important for any health condition because it can help you determine a quick and safe treatment. It’s what we do for mammograms and colonoscopies, and the same idea can be applied to the flu.
For flu, if the test is positive, you can receive antivirals. Flu antivirals have been shown to reduce flu symptoms and flu complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, hospitalization, and death.
My daughter might be here today if she had been tested for influenza and had prompt treatment. Don’t assume that what is making you sick can’t be treated – ask to be tested
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