> At a Glance
> – A Massachusetts girl, Althea, 4, contracted Flu A and was diagnosed with the rare brain-swelling condition Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy in December
> – She spent nearly two weeks in the ICU with only 10% survival odds; her family was told she might not survive
> – A GoFundMe has raised $12,000 toward a $14,000 goal for medical bills and therapy
> – Why it matters: The case highlights how routine flu viruses can trigger life-threatening complications in children, even with no prior warning
A Framingham, Massachusetts family’s world flipped in December when their healthy 4-year-old daughter, Althea, went from playful to fighting for her life in hours after a routine flu infection spiraled into a rare brain condition.
From Fever to ICU
What started as a simple fever quickly escalated to dizziness and a seizure. Althea was rushed to Mass General Hospital, where doctors diagnosed Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy, a rare flu-linked illness that causes severe brain swelling.
Her mother, Caitlin Lyons, recalled the speed of the decline:
> Caitlin Lyons said:
> > “It came out of nowhere. Quite literally healthy one day and on death’s door the next.”
Althea spent the holidays in intensive care. Physicians warned survival rates for the condition in children hover around 10%, leaving the family braced for the worst.
Day-Care Outbreak
The same flu strain raced through Althea’s day-care center, with director Carol Ann Ritter reporting 15-20 cases among kids and staff.
- Staff sent children home after the first symptom, even when it seemed minor
- Ritter noted teachers relied on instinct: “We’re being overly cautious”
- She later posted on the family’s GoFundMe page that the girl’s body “attacked her brain” instead of the virus
| Fundraising Goal | Amount Raised | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $14,000 | $12,000 | 86% |
Road to Recovery
Althea is now relearning fine motor skills and coping with a slight tremor. Doctors expect full recovery within three to six months, though her mother admits progress is gradual.
> Caitlin Lyons believes:
> > “It was just luck, and medical intervention, and acting quickly. It’s a miracle that she’s here.”
She credits early emergency care-and possibly vaccination-for her daughter beating the odds.
Key Takeaways
- Flu A can, in rare cases, trigger Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy, a swift, life-threatening brain swelling
- Rapid emergency response is critical; Althea reached ICU within hours of her first seizure
- Community support covered 86% of the family’s medical fundraiser target in weeks
- Doctors anticipate a full recovery in under six months, though therapy continues
The family now urges parents to seek immediate help if a child’s flu symptoms escalate quickly, emphasizing that speed can tip the balance between life and death.
