A Maryland family is in mourning after a 10-year-old girl died of flu complications just days after being discharged from the hospital.
Minka Aisha Greene, a healthy and active elementary school student, was known as the “light” of her family. So when the 10-year-old began experiencing low energy and a loss of appetite in late January, her mother, Kymesha Greene White, became concerned.
“We noticed a change in her behaviour because she usually doesn’t get sick. Kymesha told DC News Now, “This was her first time getting sick.”
Kymesha took Minka to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with the flu and a UTI. She was given ibuprofen and then sent home to rest. However, Minka began complaining of headaches, so her mother took her back to the ER. During her second visit, she was given fluids and sent home to rest.
Minka’s health deteriorated on the morning of February 6, when Kymesha discovered her daughter vomiting in bed.
“I heard her scream ‘Mommy!’ I’m like, ‘What’s wrong?’ “That’s when she said she couldn’t feel her legs or her feet,” she remembered.
Kymesha and her husband David White rushed their daughter, who had not received the flu vaccination, to the hospital. She told the Capitol Heights Daily Voice that on the way there, one of her daughter’s eyes rolled to the back of her head and her tongue began to move uncontrollably.
Minka died shortly after being admitted to the hospital. Doctors performed CPR and other life-saving procedures, but the parents later learnt that their daughter had no brain activity.
“That was the last time I carried her or held her in my arms.” “I will treasure that for the rest of my life,” David said.
Minka died on February 10 in the hospital. “We had to let our baby go,” Kymesha explained.
Following Minka’s death, the family discovered that she had severe brain inflammation caused by the influenza. They are now sharing their story to warn other parents. “Advocate for your babies,” Kymesha said. “When they say they’re hurting, tell the doctors.”
According to Verywell Health, influenza viruses are classified into two types: flu A and flu B. They both produce similar symptoms such as fever, body aches, and coughing.
While Flu A is more prevalent and thought to be more dangerous—the outlet reports that it accounted for 97% of cases during the 2022-2023 season—Flu B “symptoms can range from mild to severe.” Furthermore, the National Institute of Health states that “neurological complications occurred in one-fifth of hospitalised children due to influenza.”
According to the US Centres for Disease Control, “Flu can be more dangerous than the common cold for children” and recommends preventative measures like vaccination and frequent hand washing.
