According to Sarah, Ellie had no significant health issues—no asthma, no cavities, nothing at all. “She was completely healthy,” she added with a sigh. “I can’t understand why this hit her so hard.”

This flu season has already claimed at least 17 children in the U.S., and health officials anticipate the numbers will increase as more reports come in. Last year’s season, from winter 2024 to 2025, set a record with 289 pediatric deaths.

This year’s flu has proven to be even more intense, with visits for flu-like symptoms reaching levels not seen in almost three decades, driven by a new strain known as subclade K. Experts worry this season could be even more lethal than the last.

Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, explained, “A strain emerged after we finalized our current flu shots, leaving no time to adjust our vaccines.” Although subclade K isn’t in this year’s vaccine, some studies suggest people still develop antibodies from the current flu shots.

“We’re witnessing the fallout from a mismatch in strains coupled with lower vaccine uptake, which is significantly worsening the flu this year,” Creech noted.

For the Rudd family, the flu hit them hard on Christmas Day. Sarah fell ill first, struggling through it for about a week. “It was rough, but everyone else seemed fine,” she recalled.

Shortly after, 14-month-old Dani developed a fevers that fluctuated but seemed to recover quickly. Then their father Michael caught it too. By New Year’s Day, Ellie along with her siblings—Mary Jane, 6, and Kyler, 3—showed symptoms.

“Neither Michael nor I have ever gotten flu shots before, so it’s not something we usually think about,” Sarah admitted.

“Honestly, I’m not even sure if it would have made a difference this time, considering it might have been a different strain,” she continued. “We just don’t know.”

Though some friends and neighbors provided support, Sarah and Michael faced harsh comments from strangers questioning their decisions regarding vaccination.

“I believe we made the best choices we could at the time,” she stated firmly.

Initially, Mary Jane seemed the most affected with high fevers, leading Sarah to alternate medication. While Ellie and Kyler appeared to bounce back after medication, their health declined rapidly with spiking fevers the following day.

On January 2, Ellie fell asleep on the couch, but when Kyler told their mother, “Mommy, Ellie needs you,” Sarah’s heart sank.

Ellie’s cough had deepened into a concerning bark. “I thought, oh no, what is that?” Sarah recalled, “I didn’t like the sound of it.”

Rushing Ellie to the hospital, she tested positive for both flu and an adenovirus, which can complicate respiratory conditions. The staff informed Sarah that Ellie had croup, but although an X-ray showed no pneumonia, her blood oxygen was worrying low at 85%. They provided her with supplemental oxygen and antiviral medication, keeping her overnight.

“I thought they’d just treat her and send us home,” Sarah expressed, uncertainty in her voice.

Ellie had a rough night, waking frequently to cough and eventually complained of abdominal pain.

The next day, while the hospital prepared to discharge her, Ellie’s oxygen levels plummeted and she began to vomit blood. Doctors were perplexed as to the source of the bleeding.

Follow-up X-rays revealed pneumonia in one lung and sepsis, a severe inflammatory response to infection, which can lead to both bleeding and clotting issues.

Ellie needed to be airlifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where they struggled to stabilize her oxygen levels. Medical staff placed her on ECMO, a life-support machine that does the work of the heart and lungs.

By January 5, doctors informed the Rudd family that Ellie had formed blood clots in her heart, but she was too weak for surgery. Despite considering blood thinners, they posed a significant risk given her prior internal bleeding.

As Sarah spoke with doctors about Ellie’s worsening condition, her phone rang. It was her mother watching the other two children, who were also unwell and Mary Jane had developed pneumonia.

“It was utter chaos,” Sarah said, trying to find the right words. “Devastating.”

Each moment felt like things were getting progressively worse, with little hope in sight. “It hit her so fast and so hard,” she confided.

Despite attempts with blood thinners, the situation worsened when Ellie suffered a massive stroke.

“The left side of her brain showed no activity,” Sarah reported. “It was time to let her go.”

Dr. Creech noted that Ellie’s situation isn’t unique, as he’s seen children whose flu symptoms escalate rapidly.

“Young children can appear fine even when they aren’t. The younger they are, the quicker things can spiral,” he noted. “We advise parents to monitor breathing, neurological signs, and hydration closely.”

Indeed, parents should be vigilant, watching for labored breathing, lethargy, or if a child loses interest in food and activities.

“If they don’t perk up after medication, that’s another red flag,” Creech emphasized, advising parents to be proactive.

The Rudds said their goodbyes to Ellie in the hospital on January 6. Friends and family have rallied to support them during this painful time. A GoFundMe has been created to aid with medical and funeral expenses.

Sarah mentioned that the remaining children are handling the grief in their own ways.

“Kyler asked if Ellie had her wings now and was an angel in heaven, and I told him yes,” she shared, reflecting on their faith. “I think he understands some things, but not all.”

Mary Jane has been quieter but is recovering from her own illness and beginning to find her way back emotionally.

Sharing a cautionary message for other parents, Sarah said this experience has made their family reassess the importance of flu shots.

“Just get your flu shots,” she implored. “Even if it doesn’t work perfectly, it might have made a difference for her. We honestly don’t know.”

Next season, she plans to ensure all family members are vaccinated, marking a first for them.

“I’ve never been afraid of illness before, but now… well, I’m a little terrified,” she confessed.