4-year-old Ashanti Grinage has become Dallas County’s first paediatric flu-related death of the season, according to reports.
Her family have confirmed she was an otherwise healthy child, one who only began exhibiting flu symptoms four days before her death.
Ashanti’s father, Martell Grinage, says his daughter had no underlying health issues, but that she started showing symptoms of a cold on Sunday evening after church.
As per Fox4News, by Tuesday Ashanti’s parents had taken her to the emergency room with a 103-degree fever. She was tested and it became apparent that she had Flu Type A – she had not received a flu vaccine.
Martell says that she was subsequently sent home by doctors after the fever had subsided. It was recommended that her parents give her honey and lemon to help with her sore throat, and over-the-counter medications to assist with keeping the fever down.
Condition worsens
Despite the fever having completely abated by Wednesday, Ashanti was uncommonly lethargic on Thursday. Her mom took her back to the ER, where she was soon diagnosed with pneumonia. Sadly, Ashanti died later that same day.
It should go without saying that her family remain in shock, chiefly because of how quickly her health deteriorated.
Martell says he’ll forever ask himself if more could have been done to save his baby girl.
As per Fox4News, he said: “I feel like I let her down and I lied to her because I told her I’d never let nothing bad happen to her. That’s what’s killing me.”
Rest in peace, Ashanti Grinage. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time.
If you have a young one who is exhibiting alarming symptoms, or indeed if anything is so out of ordinary that it gives you cause for alarm, you should always seek appropriate medical advice/help.
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