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