Mom's 'worst nightmare': Teenage son dies one day after being diagnosed with the flu

The mother of a 16-year-old who was “rarely sick” is in disbelief after he died a day after being diagnosed with flu by a doctor, as cases continue to soar.

William Jones was complaining of a sore throat and cough last month when his mother, Rebecca Rollason, called the doctor and was told he probably had the flu. The doctor reportedly encouraged him to drink plenty of fluids, telling his mother to call back if she was still worried.

However, the next morning, as Rebecca went to check on her son, he was found unconscious in his bed in their Wellington home.

“We’re wondering how what started as a sore throat, runny nose and cough last Tuesday has gone away three days later,” Rebecca told the NZ Herald. “No one understands, we don’t know what happened… it’s like the worst nightmare we can’t wake up from.”

Family awaits results to understand teenager's death

Rebecca said the family had to “wait for the results” in hopes of better understanding the teenager's sudden death.

“We don't understand how this could happen to a boy who was very healthy and almost never sick,” she said. “This is an incredibly difficult and devastating time for us. »

A friend of Rebecca's has set up a fundraising page to ease the financial pressure on her and William's two brothers as they grieve.

Authorities are preparing for a “more severe flu season than usual”

Meanwhile, in Australia, authorities are recommending people with the flu stay home as cases rise across the country. Australia's hospitals have been put on high alert and all are encouraged to get vaccinated, as New South Wales public health officer Kerry Chant says this winter will be a “more serious flu season than usual “.

New South Wales recently recorded a 25% increase in cases week-on-week, while Victoria has seen a 28% increase in recent weeks.

“Influenza is as dangerous as it has always been – it’s more than just a cold,” said Nicole Higgins, president of the Royal Australia College of General Practitioners. “Influenza can lead to hospitalisation and even death in at-risk populations such as children.”

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