"The Flu Killed A Healthy 21-Year-Old Man. Here’s How That Can Happen" - Jaime Ducharme
Most people view influenza as a routine, if unpleasant, possibly each winter. But the case of a 21 year old man in Pennsylvania is a poignant reminder that sometimes, the worst-case scenario is more serious than sick days and bed rest. Kyle Baughman, an aspiring personal trainer, came home for Christmas not feeling well. His symptoms persisted after returning to work after the holiday. Just a few days later, however, Kyle Baughman died at University of Pittsburg Medical Center Presbyterian hospital from flu-related organ failure, according to his family. Peter Shearer, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and medical director of the emergency department at the Mount Sinai Hospital said that influenza can be a very serious illness, even though the vast majority of the public that comes down with actual influenza will get through it with Tylenol, fluids, Motrin, whatever, there are people who do get very sick.” Deadly cases are mostly limited to the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, such as respiratory illnesses, but Dr. Shearer said a very small percentage of otherwise healthy people do develop serious complications. If you’re seeking treatment, the emergency room shouldn’t necessarily be your first choice, said Dr. Shearer, as you’ll run the risk of infecting others and exposing yourself to sickness potentially more severe than yours.
- Peter Shearer, MD, Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Medical Director, Emergency Department, The Mount Sinai Hospital
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