A Michigan schoolgirl developed a deadly flesh-eating bacteria that left her in a coma after contracting a mild case of the flu.
Earlier this year, a 10-year-old Kennedy Mayer boy was diagnosed with the flu and appeared to be recovering normally.
But after a week, she complained of intense eye pain and her eye was completely swollen. “It looked like she had been punched in the eye,” said Kennedy’s mother, Meghan Mayer.
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Kennedy had suffered septic shock, a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system that prevents blood and oxygen from flowing through the body.
Kennedy had to be put into a coma to prevent her lungs from failing.
Kennedy Mayer of Michigan was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis in March after contracting influenza B.
Kennedy was placed in a medically induced coma for eight days as tissue in her toes and part of her face died.
The sepsis was caused by necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and kills healthy tissue.
Doctors were unable to find the source, but suspect it was due to a secondary infection she contracted while sick with the flu.
Doctors had to remove pieces of skin around his right eye that had begun to rot and become gangrenous.
In March 2024, Kennedy was admitted to her local hospital, intubated, and placed in a medically induced coma for eight days.
Because of her deterioration, doctors transferred her to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Although her mother did not specify what medications or treatments she received, many patients with sepsis are given drugs called vasopressors to combat low blood pressure and divert blood to vital organs.
However, when this happens, circulation is cut off to non-vital areas such as the arms and legs, causing tissue death, sometimes leading to amputations.
Kennedy began experiencing multiple organ failure and underwent emergency surgery.
Her family “said goodbye to our little girl on what we thought at the time was possibly her last day,” Ms. Mayer said on the family’s show. GoFundMe page.
Kennedy has already had eight operations, including the amputation of a toe. She also had to have a skin graft to cover the large cavity on her face after the necrotising fasciitis was removed, leaving her with a large scar.
The CDC estimates that there are between 700 and 1,150 cases of necrotizing fasciitis each year in the U.S., killing one in five patients.
It usually occurs when bacteria such as group A streptococcus, E. coli, or clostridium enter the body through open wounds.
Bacteria quickly spread and begin to multiply in the tissues and blood vessels surrounding the joints, causing tissue death, also known as necrosis.
However, Kennedy had no cuts or other injuries, leading doctors to believe he contracted strep A while having the flu.
Streptococcus A infection can also be transmitted from person to person through inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person.
Kennedy spent 52 days in the hospital recovering and learning to walk and talk again.
Kennedy is now working to regain his mobility and is preparing to have five more fingers amputated.
Ms Mayer, a teacher, said: ‘Somehow this caused all this necrotising fasciitis to develop on her face.
“There has been nothing about the Kennedy case that has been textbook. It has perplexed even some of the brightest doctors at this hospital.
“All organs have been affected and there are still other concerns for the future, but we continue to pray and take this day by day.”
Approximately one in five cases of necrotizing fasciitis leads to amputations.
In Kennedy’s case, this included the amputation of his big toe last month. Mayer also noted that he will have to have five more toes amputated in the coming months.
In total, Kennedy spent 52 days in the hospital, including rehabilitation where he had to learn to use his arms and legs and walk again.
Many patients with sepsis experience a loss of muscle mass, called muscle atrophy, which makes it difficult to walk and perform other basic functions.
Now, her family is focused on improving her mobility and preparing for any additional surgeries she may need. It’s unclear if Kennedy will be able to return to school in person.
“Every morning I wake up hoping this was all just a terrible nightmare, but I’m thankful for how much healing has taken place,” Mayer said.
“We are very grateful that she is still here now.”