Three-year-old Clive’s health went from perfectly fine to critically ill following the onset of influenza B. Alarmed by the experience, his mother Monique wanted to tell their story in order to help warn other parents about the very real dangers of the flu. Clive had been vaccinated with the flu vaccine every year prior. This year, with her family’s hectic schedule, there wasn’t enough time for him to receive a vaccination. Unbeknownst to them, this decision would soon turn tragic.
Fourteen years ago, on what seemed to be an otherwise normal day, Clive woke up and felt fine. However, by 7:30 PM that same day, he was “pretty much lifeless,” according to Monique. After going into high fevers of 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and some having seizures, Clive went from being relatively stable to rapid deterioration. His heart rate climbed higher than 210 beats per minute while his oxygen levels registered in the 50s—as in, borderline on life-threatening low.
Rapid Decline and Hospitalization
The family was torn, trying to understand how drastically Clive’s health had changed so fast. Nearly every day doctors put Clive through a barrage of CT scans and MRIs to monitor his status. They uncovered dramatic damage to his brain that was due to influenza B.
“The ambulance arrived at 8:30, we live a couple of hours away, by the time we got to the hospital, Clive was unconscious.” – Monique
As a result, the family is left to look at long road ahead in terms of rehabilitation. Today, Clive is on regular therapy but hopes to gain sufficient strength to return to the health he was enjoying before this all started.
“They ran CT scans, MRI’s, and it showed significant changes in Clive’s brain from influenza B,” – Monique
In fact, health officials say that seasonal flu vaccinations are especially important for young children. Last year, Dr. Nicola Spurrier underscored the severity of influenza B’s worst complications.
“He’s still in rehab at the moment, trying to get Clive back to his baseline,” – Monique
Importance of Vaccination
With the newly reintroduced nasal spray flu vaccine, their kids will have a less invasive option that parents may prefer.
“It can cause severe consequences especially in young children, that can include pneumonia, middle ear infection and croup, and it can include brain inflammation as we’ve seen in this tragic circumstance,” – Nicola Spurrier
According to Dr. Spurrier, this new approach has been effective for more than a decade in other countries.
“I think a nasal spray is so much easier than a needle, while it can be slightly irritating for the kids, it’s way less invasive and it’s over so quick, and pain free,” – Monique
Monique wants to spread Clive’s story so that other parents will make sure their children get their flu shots this season. She put on record her shock at the extent of the crisis.
“It’s been used for over 10 years in the UK and also in the US … so this is something for the future for us,” – Nicola Spurrier
A Mother’s Warning
Monique hopes that sharing Clive’s story will encourage other parents to prioritize flu vaccinations for their children. She expressed her disbelief at the severity of the situation.
“I mean, I’d heard of these things, but I didn’t think it was something that really happened,” – Monique
