A mother-of-two has died just three days after being diagnosed with influenza.
Karlie Slaven, 37, a university manager from Indiana, spent last week caring for her son and daughter as they battled the virus.
But as they got better she started feeling sick and on Friday she took herself to the doctor before being sent home to rest.
By Sunday, her flu had progressed to pneumonia, and she passed away at 6.30am on Monday.
Her husband Mike, who was away on temporary deployment with the armed forces at the time, was summoned back to her bedside along with father Karl to say a final goodbye.
Her death comes amid one of the most active flu years on record, with an unprecedented rate of people with influenza this week.
Karlie Slaven, 37, died on Monday just three days after being diagnosed with the flu after spending last week caring for her two children who also had the virus
Karlie went to the doctor Friday when she was diagnosed and sent home, and returned Saturday but her X-rays were clear. By Sunday the condition had developed into pneumonia
On Saturday she returned to the doctor as her condition worsened, but chest X-rays were clear so she was again sent home, WCPO reports.
By Sunday she was forced to call her father to take care of the children, saying she needed to go to hospital immediately.
It was there that doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia, and rushed her into the intensive care unit.
Husband Mike, who was away on temporary deployment with the armed forces, was recalled to be at her bedside, but doctors said there was nothing they could do
Karlie passed away on Monday around 6.30am surrounded by her family
The doctors told the family there was nothing else they could do, and she passed away on Monday at 6.30am.
Karl is now urging everyone to get their flu shots, as Fox59 reports Karlie’s children had been given the injection but she had not.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help raise money for Karlie’s funeral.
‘This is a painful time for Karlie’s family and those that knew her,’ the post reads.
‘Please help us honor Karlie’s memory by helping to support the future needs and goals of her two children.’