Nine-month-old Avery Ash’s medical journey has been delicate and perilous as flu cases spike across North Texas and nationwide.
DALLAS, Texas — A North Texas infant is recovering after a severe case of the flu led to cardiac arrest and brain damage, his parents said. Avery Ash, nine months old, tested positive for both Influenza A and Parainfluenza, which resulted in croup, an infection that restricts breathing, a combination that almost took the young boy’s life.
“It went from zero to 100 in a hurry,” said Scott Ash, Avery’s father.
Avery’s mother, Courtney Ash, said he first showed signs of congestion and a runny nose before his symptoms worsened on Feb. 1, early in the morning. When his breathing became labored, the family’s pediatrician advised them to take him to an emergency room.
“She told us if his breathing retracted, then we should probably take him into the ER–so that’s what we did,” Courtney Ash said.
Avery was initially treated at a hospital in Plano and discharged after a few days. However, 90 minutes later, his condition deteriorated, and his parents rushed him back to the hospital. His hospital identification tag was still on his body, his parents said. His airway began swelling, and medical staff attempted to intubate him. During the procedure, Avery went into cardiac arrest.
“Fifteen minutes after that, they were able to resuscitate him, and we were transported here to Children’s Dallas, the PICU, and that was on Monday of last week,” Courtney Ash said.
Scott Ash described the ordeal as traumatic.
“That’s definitely an image that’s going to be seared in my brain forever,” he said.
“He crashed, and we were 15 feet away. ”
Doctors diagnosed Avery with suffering from hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, which caused some brain damage per his parents.
Despite the severity of his condition, he has shown signs of improvement. On Tuesday, Avery could breathe independently after being taken off oxygen support, and his parents held him for the first time in a week.
“Yeah, it was really incredible,” Courtney Ash said. “It’s a lot different, but at least we get to hold him.”
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting medical expenses, which has raised more than $50,000.
“The amount of messages that have come directly from this…” Scott Ash said, reflecting on the community’s support.
“It just shows that there are good people still out there,” Courtney Ash added.
North Texas has seen a rapid spike in flu cases. Children’s Health in Dallas reported an 83% spike in late January.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cook Children’s told WFAA, “Our latest numbers from last week (2/2 to 2/8) — we had 1,086 flu cases between Cook Children’s Fort Worth and Prosper medical centers.”
Per the Texas Department of State Health Services, four children have died from the flu or pneumonia in Texas since the beginning of flu season in October.
The Ash family held their infant son Tuesday, thankful that they took the steps they did when Avery’s condition worsened and feel that’s what saved his life.
“If I had any advice to give to parents, trust your gut and don’t second guess yourself,” Courtney said.
