> At a Glance
> – 3-year-old Harper Le lost movement on her left side after flu complications
> – Diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) on Christmas Day
> – Recovery expected to take over six months with intensive therapy
> – Why it matters: Parents warn even mild flu symptoms can escalate rapidly
A routine case of influenza A spiraled into a life-altering emergency for one Arizona family when their 3-year-old daughter suddenly lost the use of her left side and could only say the word “no.”
From Fever to ICU in Days
Harper Le of Vail, Arizona, had always bounced back quickly from illness, her father Ryan Le told News Of Los Angeles. The family’s standard routine-ibuprofen and Tylenol-had reliably ended fevers within 48 hours.
This time the script changed. After a couple of days Harper began stumbling. Then the left side of her body went limp and her vocabulary collapsed to a single word.
> “Watching her not being able to pick up her left side, no sensation… it freaks you out a little bit,” Ryan Le recalled.
A CT scan at the hospital revealed swelling and blood pooling in the child’s brain. Doctors diagnosed Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, a rare inflammatory attack on the central nervous system that can follow viral infections like influenza.
Long Road to Recovery
Both Ryan and his wife Randi teach in the Vail School District. They launched a GoFundMe to cover mounting medical bills as Harper began what physicians project will be:
- Three weeks of home-bound healthcare
- Outpatient occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
Harper has started regaining some movement and is expected to be discharged soon, but the family faces months of rehabilitation.
> “If you have… even the slightest concern, definitely get that help from those medical professionals,” Ryan urged other parents.
Broader Flu Surge
The Le family’s crisis coincides with a national spike in flu activity. More than 7 million cases have been reported this season, according to federal data, producing an estimated 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths.
Health officials attribute the increase largely to an Influenza A (H3N2) sub-type known as “subclade K” and continue to recommend annual flu shots for everyone six months and older.
Key Takeaways
- Harper Le developed ADEM, a rare neurological complication, after influenza A
- She lost movement and speech within days of her initial flu symptoms
- Full recovery is expected to take more than half a year of therapy
- Parents stress seeking immediate medical care at the first sign of neurological changes
The Le family hopes Harper’s story reminds caregivers that even common viruses can trigger severe complications, and swift action can alter outcomes.
