Child Dies from H1N1 Flu Without Having Flu-Like Symptoms

While the symptoms of the H1N1 flu are generally those of the seasonal flu, a young child who did not have typical flu symptoms is now suspected of having died from the H1N1. The five year old girl didn't have a high fever, cough, runny nose, or a sore throat. Making her timely diagnosis of a viral flu like illness much less likely. She did wake up one morning with a painful headache as well as swelling around her eyes. Unfortunately, she died less than forty hours later.

An autopsy has been scheduled to obtain tissue samples for further examination. However, doctors believe that she may have have had an condition called myocarditis, in which an infectious organism, such as a virus infects muscle in the heart. Another possible explanation is that the virus may have infected her brain in a condition called encephalitis. Symptoms of encephalitis, which involve the brain, may include disordered thought processes, headache such as this young girl had, and hallucinations. Such serious neurological symptoms should prompt parents to seek consultation with a doctor as soon as possible.

Sadly, lack of health care may have contributed to this child's death as her parents had to bring her across the border to Tijana, Mexico for initial evaluation because they lacked health insurance.

While her case is concerning, most people infected with the swine flu will not require hospitalization, and will experience typical flu symptoms before recovering. Doctors feel that her parents did everything they could to help her. However, parents with children who experience sudden symptoms, such as headaches, hallucinations or seeing things that other people don't see, or who suddenly become ill without cause should seek immediate medical attention.

Sources:

Child's death a flu mystery
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/16/childs-death-flu-mystery/