The medications are sometimes so expensive that it really becomes very difficult for people to take it. Recently, a mother of two, Heather Holland, of Weatherford, Texas, died from flu after she decided to forgo the costly medicines. She died from the complications emanating from the flu. Doctors had prescribed Tamiflu, a very common antiviral medication, to treat Heather’s ailment.
Heather Holland was a second-grade teacher. She decided to forgo the medicine as she thought it to be exorbitantly priced. Heather’s husband, Frank, informed about her decision to leave the medication. Tamiflu is widely used during the flu season.
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Frank had bought her the medication on Thursday but it might have become too late by that time. He decided to give her medicine as symptoms were not easing out. "Friday night, things escalated and she ended up in the ICU. The doctors got the blood cultures back and they had to put her on dialysis early Saturday," Holland told.
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But, it was too late by then. Heather’s body had gone into septic shock. Heather died on the coming day. She left behind her husband, a 10 years old daughter and a seven years old son. "I have to be strong for the kids but it's still surreal, it hasn't all set in. We've been together a long time, over half my life. She's my best friend, my soulmate, my everything," Holland said. "It hasn't set in with them yet either," Holland said of his children.
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Holland also said many things about his late wife. He said that her late wife was a passionate educator who dedicated her life to education. He said that Heather also spent her whole life in aiding her small Texas the community. “She loved helping people, helping the kids, and the kids loved her,” Holland said.
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A spokesperson for the Weatherford Independent School District, Charlotte LaGrone, said that they are still shocked about Heather’s death and they are still trying to cope with it. 'Today is a difficult day at that campus, and we are working our processes to care for students, parents and staff,' La Grone said in a statement.
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Heather also taught at Bose Ikard Elementary for many years in the past. The counselors from the Bose Ikard Elementary said that they will continue to offer education services right throughout the week to provide support to the students, staffs and parents.
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Weatherford ISD has also come up with a statement to wipe out health fears among parents and faculty. They said that they have already taken a lot of precautions to ensure the safety of the students.
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"Our campus custodians have been deep-cleaning our schools since December, and the campus where the teacher worked underwent another deep cleaning on Friday, Feb. 2. We continue to remind students and parents of healthy habits during the cold and flu season," a written statement from the district said.
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As per the reports of CDC, this flu season has been one of the worst in the world history. Another patient with the name of Aaron Masterson, 12, also died on the same day when Heather died. Aaron’s life support was taken off when he was already declared brain dead. His cystic fibrosis had made his flu diagnosis deadly.
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Aaron, from Huntsville, Alabama, was also suffering from cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder which affects the functioning of the lungs and it also affects people’s ability to breathe. It made the flu diagnosis worst. Aaron also lost his life on the same day when Heather lost her life.
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As per reports, more than 53 children have been killed by flu in the current season. There have been 20 death cases which have been reported due to flu this season from The Dallas Fort Worth area. Heather was one of them.
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The dominant H3N2 strain which has been dubbed as the 'Aussie flu' is causing all the damages this season. It has also been found that the flu vaccine’s efficacy is only 34 percent against this deadly H3N2 strain. But, the CDC officials have not lost hope. They are urging everyone to go ahead with the shot. They say that the vaccine is very effective against H1N1 and B viruses.
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The virus has so far affected 48 states including Texas and Alabama. "Supporting one's immune system with good rest and adequate hydration may help reduce the severity of symptoms. Washing hands often, wearing masks, and staying home from work during periods of fever can help reduce the transmission of the virus," Dr. Brian Secemsky, an internist at One Medical in San Francisco, said.
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