How one mother's flu turned deadly—could your family be at risk?

As flu season returns, it's crucial to maintain vigilance and prioritise our health.

What may seem like a minor illness can quickly escalate into serious health issues that jeopardise our well-being and lives.

This season, especially after recent global health challenges, maintaining robust immune defences and heeding early symptoms can make a critical difference in safeguarding our well-being.


The sudden and heartbreaking passing of Julie Theobald, a 47-year-old Australian mother of 13, sent a ripple of concern across the nation,

Theobald's battle with the flu quickly turned into pneumonia. She was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Melbourne on June 10 after her condition deteriorated.

Despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, she succumbed to the illness just two weeks later.


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Pneumonia resulted from Theobald's flu, leading to her being admitted to Melbourne's ICU as her condition worsened. Credit: GoFundMe


Her daughter Jessica's words on a GoFundMe page capture the family's profound grief:

‘We’ve all been extremely shocked and heartbroken by this news; we could have never imagined losing our mum this early on,’

‘Mum leaves behind 13 amazing children, aged from seven to 31 years old and her devoted husband/our Dad, Billy.’


Professor Catherine Bennett, the chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, warns influenza should not be underestimated.

It can hospitalise even the fittest individuals, and no one is immune to its reach.

‘I think everyone probably knows some young, fit, healthy adults who end up in hospital with flu, so it’s definitely something for everyone to avoid,’ she said.

‘If you’re with other people that you don’t usually hang out with, it’s about making sure you try and keep the distance.’

‘Be conscious of ventilation, wear a mask if you’re in crowded areas; all of those things help protect against these conditions.’


In similar news, Australia witnessed a 29 per cent rise in laboratory-confirmed flu cases compared to the previous year.

Health authorities have issued a warning of an 'early, severe' flu season. They noted that population immunity is still in recovery post-pandemic. Further details on this news can be found here.
Key Takeaways
  • Julie Theobald, an Australian mother of 13, died from influenza that developed into pneumonia at the age of 47.
  • She was admitted to the ICU and was medically evacuated to the hospital but sadly passed away two weeks after admission.
  • Her daughter Jessica expressed the family's shock and heartbreak, noting that Julie left behind a large family and her husband.
  • Professor Catherine Bennett from Deakin University stresses that influenza can hospitalise anyone, including the young and healthy.
Have you had your flu shot this year? What measures do you take to protect yourself during flu season? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.
 
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I got the R.S.V. WHICH DOESN'T SHOW UP ON R.A.T.S test no one be lived that I was that sick G.P. wouldn't give antibiotics even when I showed her the horrible green phlegm. Gave me e cortisone tabs Then one dark rainy night saw me in the car park and gave me a script by this time chemist was closed and I had to go to castle hill late night I nearly had a traffic accident so turned into side road and called my daughter to rescue me. She refused to go to chemist and took me to Westmead I spent 10days in Respiratory high care at seventy+ they told my daughter it was likely that I wouldn't survive. I now have permanent damage to my lungs. A new RSV inoculation for Adults costs 300 dollars kids are free special needs adults also pay. I can't afford that amount on my pension. But I suppose I have passed my used by date at 80yrs this Sept.
I hope you changed your GP. Some doctors end up burying their mistakes, don't be one of them 🤗
 
Have been warning people about this for years after I had a run in with the flu. Hubby went to golf and one of his golfing mates turned up full of it and insisted on playing. Of course what happened....hubby came home and passed it onto me. The result was almost permanent hearing loss and now I wear two hearing aids. The doctor said this can happen. I now make sure we have flu shots every year. With covid we have had all the shots and touch wood....neither of us have had it. I know the shots do not stop you getting these things but it sure as hell makes it a lot easier to cope with and lessens the risk of you dying.
 
A 29% rise? I wonder if the COVID-19 vaccination contributed to this spike - given it smashed everyone's immune system.
I would like to see the health system truthfully state what percentage of these poor people suffering have been COVID-19 vaccinated. Just curious...
 
A 29% rise? I wonder if the COVID-19 vaccination contributed to this spike - given it smashed everyone's immune system.
I would like to see the health system truthfully state what percentage of these poor people suffering have been COVID-19 vaccinated. Just curious...
Really?

According to ABS's latest data, in April 2024, Australia's short-term resident returns: 964,310 – an increase of 28.5% on one year earlier.

Coincidence? Possibly. Very few, if any, serious diseases originate in Australia.

Source: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/latest-release#:~:text=In April 2024:,19.3% on one year earlier
 
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I think it's a warning for everyone to get the pneumonia vaccine
For further information:-


This website gives advice and eligibility for routine vaccination in infants and children, non-Indigenous adults aged 70 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over, as well as children, adolescents and adults with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease.
 
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I’m sorry to hear this. I hope he soon recovers. I’m surprised a chest xray wasn’t done as a routine. I’m a Gp and have been hospitalised with pneumonia and it was awful.
In Canterbury hospital a chest xray isn't routine. It took my son inlaw demanding it . His coming home today. After a day on antibiotics there was a huge difference
 
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Why would she have other health issues? I have 13 children and was healthy up to 3 years ago and my healissues started after a doctor did wrong in surgery
Please accept my apologies Suzanne rose if my poorly thought out Öff the cuff"remark insulted or hurt you, it was not my intention, like a few other SDC members I was surprised at the amount of children that the young mother in the article had. Large families are not the norm now or often seen, so I found it surprising, it also revived memories of my paternal grandmother who passed away at a young age which according to the coroner investigating her demise was caused by her having too many children in quick succession, apparently according to his findings her body was exhausted by the time she gave birth to her 13th child (my Father) I do respect your choice and have no doubt that you are a good mother to your children especially with your fabulous cooking that you often share with us at SDC. I will show a little more thought and respect with my comments on any further stories involving large families. Please accept my apology to you.🌹🌹🌹
 
I am not trying to make light of the loss to her family but I cannot get past 13 children! The article did say she had underlying health conditions but after birthing that many I would be surprised if she didn't have other health issues. it is a tragic loss of life for a woman so young and even more of a tragedy for the large family she has left behind, may she rest in peace.🙏
She didn't have any underlying health issues. She had the flu and it turned into pneumonia
Apology accepted.
I get annoyed due to so many people making fun off large families.

Comments I used to receive was
1. Are you Catholic
2. Didn't you have a TV.

I would answer , I'm not Catholic but I am a Christian.

I have plenty of TV's so what do either of these questions have to do with me. Then they usually shut up

I could have received more on centrelink but I chose to work, yet still kept a clean house , still cooked, and still spent time with my kids.

I think my kids kept me healthy and young. It was only when I had negligent surgery in November 2019 that my health issues started
 
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My mother and brother who live in Taree NSW tested positive to Covid for the first time on Friday. My brother has only a few symptoms but mum is pretty sick.

I've had it 3 times but to be honest I had the worst flu ever a few weeks back
 

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