'WORST NIGHTMARE'
Mum’s disbelief as ‘healthy’ son, 16, dies within days of complaining of a sore throat
Heartbroken Rebecca Rollason describes how "life will never be the same" with her "gorgeous boy"
A "HEALTHY" teenage boy died within days of complaining of a sore throat and cough.
Rebecca Rollason found her son William unresponsive in bed on June 14, shortly after he developed flu-like symptoms.
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The heartbroken mum, from Upper Hutt in Wellington, New Zealand, told the : "We ask ourselves how what started as a sore throat, snotty nose and a cough on Tuesday [turned into him] no longer [being] with us three days later.
"No one understands, we don't know what happened.
"It feels like the worst nightmare that we cannot wake from."
William, 16, first fell ill with a sore throat and cough on June 11.
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Rebecca called her GP and was told it was likely flu and to give her son plenty of fluids.
She was also advised to call again three days later if William's condition worsened.
But by that time, it was too late.
Rebecca went to check on him that morning and found him dead in bed.
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The schoolboy, who had just passed his driving test, was described as "an amazing, talented and very bright and kind boy".
Rebecca added: "We just don’t understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy.
I had to have my leg amputated after catching flu and I'm begging you, don’t make my mistake
"He was a talented musician and had his future all planned out.
"It's an incredibly hard and devastating time for us. Life will never be the same without my gorgeous 16-year-old boy."
She is awaiting test results to confirm his exact cause of death, but for now, it is being blamed on flu.
'EVERY PARENTS' WORST NIGHTMARE'
A family friend has set up a fundraising page on to help cover the cost of William's funeral.
On it, organiser Amanda Amies writes: "I have set up this page to help Rebecca and her two remaining sons with funeral costs and to alleviate financial burden during this grieving period.
"It is every parents' worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child from a sudden and brief illness."
Symptoms of flu and when to get help
FLU will often get better on its own in a matter of days or weeks, but it can make some people seriously ill.
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- You're worried about your baby's or child's symptoms
- You're 65 or over
- You're pregnant
- You have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- You have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- Your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Source: NHS
Influenza is a respiratory illness which is more common in winter.
There are four types: A, B, C and D. The first two cause seasonal epidemics.
The main symptoms include a fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, a sore throat, runny nose, and generally feeling unwell.
This can be unpleasant, but most people will recover within about a week.
The NHS says: "Most people confuse flu with a heavy cold; however, flu is usually a more severe illness than the common cold, which is caused by other respiratory viruses."
Some people, particularly young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems, are at increased risk of developing life-threatening complications.
This includes pneumonia, bronchitis, sepsis and influenza myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle brought on by flu.
We just don’t understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy
Rebecca Rollason
The NHS recommends you visit a GP if your symptoms don't improve after seven days or you are worried about a baby, someone over the age of 65, or a patient with a weakened immune system.
It adds: "Flu can affect different people in a variety of ways, ranging from minor symptoms through to pneumonia and in very rare cases death.
"The most common complications of flu are bronchitis and pneumonia, which in some cases may require treatment in hospital.
"Some types of flu can cause serious illness in young, otherwise healthy individuals."
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Nearly 15,000 excess deaths associated with flu, which spreads via coughs, sneezes and touch, were reported in the flu season of 2022 to 2023 - the highest figure since the 2017 to 2018 season, which had 22,500 excess deaths.
The flu vaccine, which is offered on the NHS every year in autumn and early winter, helps provide vital protection against the bug.
Red flags to look out for in your child
Infections like colds and flu are very common in babies and children, and most will make a full recovery without needing treatment.
However, you should phone 999 or go to A&E if they:
- Stop breathing or have pauses in their breathing
- Have severe difficulty breathing, such as grunting or noisy breathing
- Look seriously unwell – e.g. they are very pale, grey, or white, or have mottling (pale patchy skin with a purple tinge) on their arms, legs or body
- Aren't showing a normal colour of skin, lips and tongue – e.g. very pale, blue or purple
- Aren't awake and can’t be wakened, or are very difficult to waken
- Are breathing very rapidly, even when resting and when not upset or crying
Ultimately, you know your child best. Always trust your instincts and seek urgent medical help if you think there's an emergency.
Source: NHS
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