The dead children thread - Pandemic A/H1N1 2009-2010

[sharon sanders]

Re: The dead children thread

FluTrackers School Policy Fall 2009 - Infectious Diseases

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124476

[FloridaMom]

Re: The dead children thread

This is incredibly sad and frightening. We must not sacrifice our children for the sake of the economy, "convenience", or anything! What can we do to put an end to this tragedy? Parents are not even being told when swine flu is present in the schools until, God forbid, a child dies! How can we protect our kids? I'm feeling very panicked... (son has asthma, daughter has a heart murmur, and I have a preschooler--all at risk)

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Family of young swine flu victim grieves and asks questions
Posted: Sep 10, 2009 4:58 PM EST Updated: Sep 10, 2009 6:37 PM EST

By Caroline Moses - bio | email

LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA (WAFB) - One Louisiana mother is grieving because her teenage daughter became one of the state's six deaths related to swine flu. Just a senior in high school, Taylor Brian had her whole life ahead of her.
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http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?s=11110132&clienttype=printable

Taylor Brian was by all accounts a typical teenage girl. It's the most confusing and troubling part of all this for her family.

"Taylor swam all the time," said her mom, Ruthie Brian.

19-year-old Taylor Brian was a senior at Denham Springs High School. She was focused on getting ready for the prom when something else took hold of her. At first she was treated for run-of-the-mill strep throat.

"She got better over the weekend. She felt better," said Ruthie.

Once Taylor recovered, her mom Ruthie let her get back to more exciting things like planning for prom.

"Taylor was unbelievable, amazing. You can ask anyone," she said.

A few days after returning to school, Taylor started feeling sick again, so Taylor's family took her back to the doctor.

"We went back, and she didn't get any better. Then, she was diagnosed with bronchitis and we treated that, so I don't think you can visit the doctor any more often than we did," said Taylor's uncle Terry Root.

Eventually, Taylor was sent to the hospital and put into intensive care. It was after three negative tests for Type A flu and days after her pneumonia diagnosis that doctors finally found she was infected with the H1N1 virus or swine flu.

"By the time they were treating Taylor for H1N1 it was long past the effective period for the medicine,' said Root.

Taylor's mom wonders what if strep throat compromised her immune system, making her more susceptible to swine flu? What if Taylor was treated for the flu sooner. Would treatments like tamiflu have saved her? The unanswered questions are why Ruthie says she feels compelled to share Taylor's story.

"She would want us to help someone else. That would be her.," said Ruthie.

Since Taylor's death state health officials have significantly sped up the process for getting flu test results back. Taylor's family hopes researchers and doctors continue to learn more about this virus. To that end, Taylor's mother gave all of her daughter's medical records over to doctors.

[tesseract]

Re: The dead children thread

She was focused on getting ready for the prom when something else took hold of her. At first she was treated for run-of-the-mill strep throat.

"She got better over the weekend. She felt better," said Ruthie.

Once Taylor recovered, her mom Ruthie let her get back to more exciting things like planning for prom.

I am confused by the "getting ready for prom" - did this child get sick last spring?

Also worry about the reference to strep. We have strep in our house right now And flu all around us!

[colormyquilt]

Re: The dead children thread

I don't like it either, and it can't be ignored. We must do more to prevent these deaths. Time to turn up the heat.

, Treyfish.

To add to list, all infants dying in utero pre-term to mothers with h1n1 (who are also dying.)

To prevent means moving past the denial. This is no seasonal flu. Having many recover and live is horribly deceptive at this time. For this flu is presenting with the ability to violently and repeatedly take the youngest and heatlhiest of our children- not after long, protracted illness but within the space of 24-36 hours.

[B.C.]

Re: The dead children thread

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=90746&catid=2

Six-Year-Old Dies From H1N1, Parents Speak Out
Katherina- Marie Yancy 13 mins ago

The parents of a first grader in Hot Springs have confirmed their daughter died from H1N1. Thursday, her family speaks out.
Advertisement

Six-year old Kharra Skye Davis died Monday at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Her parents say she was a healthy, vibrant little girl and they are still in disbelief. But they're hoping their story can save someone else's child.

Daniel Davis says, "It's not fair to her; it's not fair to me, my wife. She just got started; I don't know."

Daniel and Becky Davis say their daughter, Kharra Skye, was always a healthy little girl who loved to play outside and go to school.

Daniel lights up, "She would have on her best Sunday dress and high heels out riding her scooter." Becky adds, "She was just a normal girl, liked to have picnics and swim."

Saturday after swimming at a friend's birthday party, Kharra started feeling sick.

Becky explains, "She was running a low-grade fever and by Sunday evening, it progressed to almost 105 and we ended up taking her to the hospital twice."

Becky says Kharra felt lethargic and had trouble breathing, but her nasal swabs came back negative for the flu. On the second visit to the hospital, she was airlifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital. She continues, "Within an hour, she was on life support."

Kharra died Monday. The Davis' say they want to inform parents at Lakeside Elementary of Kharra's death and that it's something they couldn't avoid.

"With H1N1, it can lower the immunity and in her case, she was more susceptible to other infections. She picked up staph somewhere, so she had H1N1 and staph that totally wiped out her immune system," Becky says.

The Davis' says they don't want to see another child go through what Kharra did. Daniel adds, "If this helps us save one kid, its well worth it. By our loss, if we get one gain, it's worth it."

The Davis' say they're not taking Kharra's room down because they don't want her two-year-old brother to forget her. The funeral is Saturday, and they say an outpouring of support is coming from family, friends and even total strangers.

The Davis' say the first nasal test for the flu should have come back positive and their advice is to ask your doctor to do a blood test or culture.

Arkansas has a total of five deaths due to H1N1.

To leave a message for Kharra's family, click on the virtual memorial link under the picture.

[cmmc]

Re: The dead children thread

Area girl dies from swine flu complications (Virginia)

http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/new...complications/

By Staff Report | Suffolk News-Herald

Published Friday, September 11, 2009

Swine flu contributed to the death on Friday of a female teenager from western Tidewater, according to officials from the Virginia Health Department.

Dr. Lisa McCoy, director of the Western Tidewater Health District, would provide no identifying information about the girl, including her place of residence. McCoy?s health district covers the cities of Suffolk and Franklin, as well as Isle of Wight and Southampton counties.

The girl, McCoy said Friday, had become sick before school started and had not been in a school since that time. She had an underlying health condition that put her at risk of greater complications from the flu, according to a press release from the VDH.

Officials said they were still awaiting an official determination of the cause of the girl?s death.

?Our heartfelt condolences go out to the patient?s family at this time of loss,? said State Health Commissioner Karen Remley. ?Losing a child is a tragedy for all of us.?

The virus, which health department officials are referring to as novel influenza A (H1N1), has predominantly affected younger people, and studies have shown that people older than 64 appear to have at least partial immunity to the strain, possibly from exposure to a similar virus years ago, according to the health department.

As of Sept. 9, the Centers for Disease Control had reported 593 deaths nationwide from the virus.

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Child in Western Tidewater diagnosed with swine flu dies

The Virginian-Pilot
? September 11, 2009

State health officials announced Friday that a child from the Western Tidewater Health District has died after being diagnosed with swine flu.
The girl, whose name and age were not released, had an underlying health condition that put her at greater risk of complications from the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu.
This is the fourth death in Virginia that?s been associated with swine flu.
Nationwide, as of Sept. 9, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 593 deaths caused by the new virus.
?Our heartfelt condolences go out to the patient?s family at this time of loss,? said State Health Commissioner Karen Remley in a statement. ?Losing a child is a tragedy for all of us.?http://hamptonroads.com/2009/09/chil...swine-flu-dies

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Cornell student dies of swine flu complications



September 11, 2009

• • A Cornell University student died Friday of complications related to H1N1 swine flu.
  
  

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http://www.davidrolle.com/davidrolle/warren/

Warren Schor, 20, was identified as the student who died by a university official. Schor was in the university's agriculture and life sciences program according to the Cornell web site.
Check this Web site on more details as they become available.http://www.pressconnects.com/article...09110364/1006/

[alert]

Re: The dead children thread

I am confused by the "getting ready for prom" - did this child get sick last spring?

I suspect that they are talking about her upcoming prom in spring 2010 - many teenage girls prepare for prom months in advance.

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Aubrey Opdyke awoke from swine flu induced coma to find her baby gone

<!-- newsworthy --><!--endtext--><script type="text/javascript" src="http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/js/NewsworthyAudioC2L.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/newsworthy/palmbeachpost/local_news/epaper/2009/09/12/palmbeachpost_local_news_epaper_2009_09_12_a1a_swi ne_flu_aubrey_0913.js"></script>

Click-2-Listen

<!--begintext--><!-- http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/...ubrey_0913.mp3 -->By DIANNA SMITH
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 12, 2009
She wanted to know about her baby.
Aubrey Opdyke woke from her coma the end of July, after battling the swine flu virus, but it wasn't until late August when she asked, "What about the baby?"Her family gently told her that her baby was gone.
"She got very quiet and didn't want to talk anymore," her mother-in-law, Chris Opdyke, said. "We kind of avoid that subject if we can."
Aubrey, 27, of suburban West Palm Beach, arrived at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 3, very sick and six months pregnant. She was diagnosed with swine flu. Doctors induced a coma to help her breathe. She lost her daughter - Parker Christine - on July 18.
Her husband of 16 months, Bryan, hired a photographer to shoot pictures of the baby so when Aubrey is ready and feels strong enough, she can see Parker one day.

more............


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localne...brey_0913.html

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20...+a+healthy+boy

How did swine flu kill a healthy boy?
Kindergartner's death leaves parents, doctors with questions

By Chas Sisk ? THE TENNESSEAN ? September 12, 2009

The most remarkable thing about the death of Max Gomez was that it could happen at all.

Going into the last weekend in August, the Antioch 5-year-old was an energetic, independent kindergartner excited to be starting elementary school. Less than four days later, he was dead.

?Max had gotten sick in the past. He?d had strep and ear infections, but he always came through,? his mother, Ruth Gomez, recalled in an interview with The Tennessean last week.

?But this time, everything happened so fast.?

The death of Max Gomez, an otherwise healthy boy who became the state?s third fatality from swine flu nearly two weeks ago, could hold clues as to why a usually mild disease can sometimes turn deadly.

Ruth Gomez described Max?s flu as progressing extraordinarily quickly ? from a fever on Saturday to an apparent recovery on Sunday to hospitalization and death on Monday.

More than 1 million Americans are believed to have contracted H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, but only about 9,000 people, less than 1 percent of the cases, have gotten sick enough to require hospitalization.

Fewer than 600 have died, according to figures published earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of those, Max Gomez?s case may be part of an even rarer group, in which the disease claimed the life of a child whose medical history gave no hints that he was vulnerable to swine flu.

State and local health officials say they are still conducting tests to determine how Max, an inquisitive boy who loved fishing and outings with his church group, could have died from the disease.

Until those tests are complete, they say they cannot determine whether any undiagnosed conditions or infections played a role in his death.

There is little evidence that the boy did not get medical treatment quickly enough, or that doctors did not do all they could to save him.

Instead, it appears that Max succumbed to an unusual combination of circumstances that resulted in tragedy.

?Life is so fragile,? Ruth Gomez said. ?You can never know. You never know what could happen tomorrow.?

(2 of 4)

'A good kid'

The first few weeks of August were exciting times for Max, who was born in Nashville and had lived with his family off Bell Road for three years.

He had started class at Henry Maxwell Elementary School, and unlike many children his age, Max embraced the chance to be independent.

While some kindergartners let go of their parents? hands in tears, Max begged his mother to let him ride the school bus, and when his mother insisted on driving him instead, he begged her again to let him walk from the school?s front door to the classroom on his own.

In the classroom, Ruth said, Max was already a leader, offering to translate his classmates? Spanish for his teacher.

?He really was a good kid,? Ruth said, sitting in the family?s immaculate living room, with peace lilies and memorials to Max clustered all around.

?He was very happy, and he was very helpful. He had a good heart.?

When he fell ill on the weekend of Aug. 28, Ruth and her husband, Marco, saw little to fear. Max woke up with a fever that Saturday ? a fever that peaked at just over 102 degrees, his mother recalled ? but he otherwise seemed energetic.

His parents suspected it was a routine childhood illness, an ear infection or a sore throat, one that would get better with a dose of Tylenol and rest.

Instead of attending their Seventh-day Adventist Church in Smyrna, the family decided to stay home from church that day, just to be safe.

By Sunday, Max?s fever had subsided. To be cautious, the family decided not to let Max join a zoo trip with his church group, the Eager Beavers, but Ruth recalled he was playful that day and showed ample signs of recovery.

Monday, however, began worrisomely. Max?s fever returned, and he had chills.

Ruth and Marco, an independent contractor, couldn?t afford health insurance for themselves, but they had enrolled Max and his two younger sisters in TennCare, the state?s health insurance program for low-income children, pregnant women and the disabled.

Ruth took Max that day to a walk-in clinic in Antioch, where he was seen by a doctor and released. But by the time Marco came home from work at 5 p.m., Max?s perpetual energy had given way to unrelenting fatigue.
(3 of 4)

The family rushed Max to Monroe Carell Jr. Children?s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he was admitted around 6 p.m., Ruth recalled.

The doctors seemed to sense the urgency of Max?s case almost immediately. Still, he was dead less than three hours later.

?This happened so fast,? Ruth said.

?At the beginning, we couldn?t believe it, and looking back, we did question why, but we just feel like everything happens for a reason, that hopefully other people would learn from this. And we?re doing OK as far as spiritually.?
Tests are being run

An autopsy has been performed, but test results will not be ready for about two months, medical officials said.

Until then, they can only speculate as to why the virus would have claimed the life of Max, a child who seemed so unlikely to succumb to the illness.

?To answer that, you have to just look at those (cases) that seem like lightning bolts,? said Dr. Tim Jones, the state epidemiologist.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control released a bulletin on the first 36 children in the United States to die from swine flu, a group that does not include Max Gomez.

The CDC found that two-thirds of those children had an underlying condition that made them more vulnerable to swine flu.

These include epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, asthma or any other disease that suppresses the immune or respiratory systems.

Max Gomez had not been diagnosed with any chronic diseases, his mother said.

Instead, he appeared to fall into the remaining one-third of children who die from the disease, a group that scientists are still trying to learn more about.

One possibility is that H1N1 could be exacerbated by a bacterial infection. All six of the children the CDC studied who were over 5 years old but did not have a chronic medical condition tested positive for a bacterial infection in addition to swine flu.

Health officials said they did not know enough about Max Gomez?s case to say whether a bacterial infection contributed to his death.

But they did say that when influenza combines with a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, the patient often follows a pattern in which his symptoms start to subside but then suddenly worsen.
(4 of 4)

That pattern ? which includes symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, a racing pulse, breathing trouble, bluish skin or trouble staying awake ? is an indication that the flu has turned deadly, and it means a sufferer should talk to a doctor immediately.

?What you expect from ordinary flu is that it starts off bad and gets better,? said Dr. Bill Paul, Metro?s health director. ?If that?s not the case, it?s worth a call.?
'We hope we can learn'

Ruth Gomez said the family has been trying to move on from Max?s death.

She said she has long encouraged her friends, even those without medical insurance, to see a doctor when their children fall ill, advice that she recommends with even more urgency now.

The family, she said, has been drawing comfort from their church and their faith that Max?s spirit lives on.

?We have hope that we?re going to see him again,? she said.

Doctors, meanwhile, hope to solve the mystery of Max?s death, in the hope of helping other families avoid the same pain.

?It is a tragedy,? Paul said. ?There is a young, healthy kid who is no longer with us. We hope we can learn lessons from it.?

(3 of 4)

The family rushed Max to Monroe Carell Jr. Children?s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he was admitted around 6 p.m., Ruth recalled.

The doctors seemed to sense the urgency of Max?s case almost immediately. Still, he was dead less than three hours later.

?This happened so fast,? Ruth said.

?At the beginning, we couldn?t believe it, and looking back, we did question why, but we just feel like everything happens for a reason, that hopefully other people would learn from this. And we?re doing OK as far as spiritually.?
Tests are being run

An autopsy has been performed, but test results will not be ready for about two months, medical officials said.

Until then, they can only speculate as to why the virus would have claimed the life of Max, a child who seemed so unlikely to succumb to the illness.

?To answer that, you have to just look at those (cases) that seem like lightning bolts,? said Dr. Tim Jones, the state epidemiologist.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control released a bulletin on the first 36 children in the United States to die from swine flu, a group that does not include Max Gomez.

The CDC found that two-thirds of those children had an underlying condition that made them more vulnerable to swine flu.

These include epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, asthma or any other disease that suppresses the immune or respiratory systems.

Max Gomez had not been diagnosed with any chronic diseases, his mother said.

Instead, he appeared to fall into the remaining one-third of children who die from the disease, a group that scientists are still trying to learn more about.

One possibility is that H1N1 could be exacerbated by a bacterial infection. All six of the children the CDC studied who were over 5 years old but did not have a chronic medical condition tested positive for a bacterial infection in addition to swine flu.

Health officials said they did not know enough about Max Gomez?s case to say whether a bacterial infection contributed to his death.

But they did say that when influenza combines with a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, the patient often follows a pattern in which his symptoms start to subside but then suddenly worsen.
(4 of 4)

That pattern ? which includes symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, a racing pulse, breathing trouble, bluish skin or trouble staying awake ? is an indication that the flu has turned deadly, and it means a sufferer should talk to a doctor immediately.

?What you expect from ordinary flu is that it starts off bad and gets better,? said Dr. Bill Paul, Metro?s health director. ?If that?s not the case, it?s worth a call.?
'We hope we can learn'

Ruth Gomez said the family has been trying to move on from Max?s death.

She said she has long encouraged her friends, even those without medical insurance, to see a doctor when their children fall ill, advice that she recommends with even more urgency now.

The family, she said, has been drawing comfort from their church and their faith that Max?s spirit lives on.

?We have hope that we?re going to see him again,? she said.

Doctors, meanwhile, hope to solve the mystery of Max?s death, in the hope of helping other families avoid the same pain.

?It is a tragedy,? Paul said. ?There is a young, healthy kid who is no longer with us. We hope we can learn lessons from it.?

(4 of 4)

That pattern ? which includes symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, a racing pulse, breathing trouble, bluish skin or trouble staying awake ? is an indication that the flu has turned deadly, and it means a sufferer should talk to a doctor immediately.

?What you expect from ordinary flu is that it starts off bad and gets better,? said Dr. Bill Paul, Metro?s health director. ?If that?s not the case, it?s worth a call.?
'We hope we can learn'

Ruth Gomez said the family has been trying to move on from Max?s death.

She said she has long encouraged her friends, even those without medical insurance, to see a doctor when their children fall ill, advice that she recommends with even more urgency now.

The family, she said, has been drawing comfort from their church and their faith that Max?s spirit lives on.

?We have hope that we?re going to see him again,? she said.

Doctors, meanwhile, hope to solve the mystery of Max?s death, in the hope of helping other families avoid the same pain.

?It is a tragedy,? Paul said. ?There is a young, healthy kid who is no longer with us. We hope we can learn lessons from it.?

Chas Sisk can be reached at 615-259-8283 or csisk@tennessean.com.

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Funeral held for 6 year old swine flu victim

Saturday friends and family remembered a six-year-old girl who died this week from swine flu. Kharra Davis passed away at Arkansas Children's Hospital Monday. Her parents say she showed swine flu symptoms just three days before her death.."snip"

..The Swine Flu has killed five Arkansans this year. The first death was reported August 10<SUP>th</SUP>. The latest four just this week.http://www.fox16.com/news/local/stor...w.cspx?rss=315

[cmmc]

Re: The dead children thread

Thank you Niko.

I hope no one objects but I would like to get pictures of all these children and post it here. I tried to attach the picture and ir is only down loading it as a file??
Let me know if this is an issue.

http://hotspringsfh.com/obituaries.php

Kharra Davis passed away at Arkansas Children's Hospital Monday.


Kharra Davis
September 9, 2009

Kharra Skye Davis was granted her angel wings on September 7, 2009, following a short illness. She was born October 14, 2002. Kharra was 6 years old. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Kharra had touched in some small way throughout her short, yet very memorable life.

Kharra?s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of her existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around her and though she never spoke a word, her voice and thoughts could always be heard.

She possessed strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome life?s challenges. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. She could spend hours talking to her family and cuddling close to those she loved so much. She enjoyed country music, reading and school. She was a serious little girl, old before her time, and yet she knew how to enjoy life and act ?goofy?. She also enjoyed riding her scooter. She was all girl and you could find her riding often times in her dress. Kharra never met a stranger and anyone that knew her loved to know her and was blessed by the encounter. She taught us how to love, accept and be accepted. She will be missed and our hearts will forever be changed by her presence.

With Kharra?s passing we remind others that life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss her everyday, especially her winning smile, she
will forever remain in our hearts. It has been a privilege to be her parents. She was Daddy?s ?Little Princess? and Mama?s ?Little Bunny?. We are so thankful Kharra?s brother Kyle (Bubby) met his sister so he can hold dear the memory of Kharra?s gentle spirit.

Kharra is survived by her loving parents, Dan and Becky Davis, brother Kyle, maternal grandparents, Kathy and David Dillman, paternal grandparents, Richard Davis and Yvonne Stark, maternal great grandfather, Bob Moore, paternal great grandfather Daniel Davis, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was predeceased by her maternal great grandmother, Liz Moore.

There will be a celebration of Kharra?s life Saturday September 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Lakepointe Church (located at the corner of Airport and Albert Pike). Kharra was an active and enthusiastic member at Lakepointe. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Kharra Davis Memorial Fund, c/o Central Arkansas Pain Center, 307 F Carpenter Dam Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 or sent to Lakepointe Church, 1343 Albert Pike Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.

[Niko]

Re: The dead children thread

I hope no one objects but I would like to get pictures of all these children and post it here. I tried to attach the picture and ir is only down loading it as a file??
Let me know if this is an issue.

http://hotspringsfh.com/obituaries.php

Kharra Davis passed away at Arkansas Children's Hospital Monday.


Kharra Davis
September 9, 2009