Girl, 12, results in coma after ‘tremendous flu’ initially considered ‘college bug’
Jessica Williamson was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where she was diagnosed with Influenza A, which later developed into sepsis and necrotising pneumonia
A 12-year-old girl was left fighting for her life in a coma after contracting the latest dangerous virus, with her symptoms initially being brushed off.
Ashleigh Moore and medical professionals first believed Jessica Williamson’s headache and sickness were down to a “school bug”. Ashleigh, 34, is now determined to highlight Jessica’s ordeal as a stark warning about how devastating flu can be, whilst encouraging others to get their flu jabs.
Her daughter was ultimately blue-lighted to hospital, where medics diagnosed her with Influenza A. This subsequently progressed into sepsis and necrotising pneumonia, becoming so critical that Ashleigh was terrified Jessica might not survive.
In December, fresh statistics from the NHS revealed flu cases had rocketed by 55% within a single week, as the month witnessed a dramatic rise in “super flu” infections.
Speaking last night following the release of these figures, Ashleigh, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, said: “It was heartbreaking to see her like that in an induced coma. I felt like I was looking into someone else’s life and it didn’t feel real. There were several moments where we didn’t think she would ever leave the hospital and see Christmas.”
“I said to all the nurses I was one of those hypocritical people that thought it was ‘just’ the flu. I don’t think you get it until you see the inside walls of the ICU and sit in those four walls for weeks staring at your baby all because of the flu.
“I’m now urging people to get their flu vaccines. You also need to trust your gut and get a second opinion. It is scary to think that if we had just gone to bed that night [instead of taking her to hospital again], where would we have been?”.
After a three-week stint at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, Jessica managed to beat the flu, during which she became “delirious”. The hospital’s management has highlighted this case as a stark reminder of the severity of flu, especially in children.
The average number of recorded cases saw a significant increase from 1,717 to 2,660 within the first week of the month, prompting the NHS to encourage all eligible individuals to get their flu vaccination to avoid serious illness.
Echoing this sentiment, Ashleigh added: “I’m now urging people to get their flu vaccines. You also need to trust your gut and get a second opinion.”
She claimed that when she first took her daughter to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead with initial symptoms, including vomiting, she was only given a single dose of paracetamol.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees the hospital, expressed its willingness to meet with the family to discuss the case further.
Sean Fenwick, Chief Executive of the trust, commented: “We are sorry to hear what the family has been through and wish their child the best ongoing recovery.
“Flu in children can develop quickly from a stable situation to one which is very serious and we would encourage parents who are concerned that their child’s condition has worsened after being seen not hesitate in having them reviewed again.
“We would also strongly recommend that all children and young people who are eligible for the flu vaccine get immunised. We have reviewed this case and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the family to discuss this in greater detail.”
