Garland, TX — The family of Ashanti Grinage, a 4-year old girl from Texas, is mourning her sudden death reportedly caused by a flu virus. Ashanti’s death is the first recorded pediatric flu-related death this season in Dallas County, Texas.
Ashanti, who didn’t have any underlying medical conditions, began showing symptoms related to colds on Sunday, January 27, says her father Martell Grinage. On Tuesday, her fever rose to 103 degrees so they took her to the emergency room.
Test results determine that she acquired flu type A. She had not received any flu vaccine.
When her fever seemed to subside, doctors sent Ashanti home and recommended home remedies and over-the-counter medications to relieve her sore throat and keep her fever down.
On Wednesday, she didn’t have a fever but is showing other mild symptoms. By Thursday, she became extremely lethargic, “very sluggish and she wasn’t eating,” her father said.
Ashanti’s mother then brought her back to the hospital, where she had been diagnosed with pneumonia. But on that same day, she later died at the hospital.
“I’m mad at myself. I’m mad at everyone. I’m mad at the hospital. I’m mad at God. I can’t lie to you,” Grinage said.
Ashanti’s father may not be able to bring her daughter’s life but he wanted to inform other parents to pay more attention to their children to avoid another death caused by the flu.
“See, I feel like I failed because I’m not even 30 yet, and I’m about to bury my little girl,” Grinage said.
Doctors are urging those who haven’t received the flu vaccine yet to do so.
“We cannot predict the intensity, severity or duration of the flu season from year to year,” Dr. Christopher Perkins, of Dallas County Health and Human Services, told KTVT. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to get your seasonal flu shot.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to financially support Ashanti’s family and has so far raised over $15,000.
