A 14-year-old girl from Kerrville, Texas, has undergone a triple amputation after contracting the flu, which progressed to necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis. Kaydin Baldwin spent 117 days in the hospital before doctors made the decision to amputate her right arm and both legs to save her life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 32 million and 57 million Americans had the flu between October and the end of May. While most recover within weeks, some can develop severe complications, including life-threatening bacterial infections.

Baldwin’s case involved a rare form of bacterial pneumonia that can affect individuals with weakened immune systems. This infection, typically caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, can begin with flu-like symptoms and rapidly become catastrophic. According to her mother, Kaydin experienced multi-organ failure and a two-minute cardiac arrest during her hospitalization.

She celebrated her 14th birthday in the hospital and has since been fitted for prosthetic limbs. She will require inpatient rehabilitation before returning home. Last year, the CDC reported that between 390,000 and 800,000 people were hospitalized due to the flu, with reported deaths ranging from 24,000 to 81,000.

While the flu is a viral infection and not treatable with antibiotics, secondary bacterial infections that arise from it are. Public health officials noted an increase in severe flu cases last winter, particularly with the H3N2 influenza A virus variant, which presented with rapid onset and high contagiousness.

Severe complications from influenza can include inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues, as well as multi-organ failure. The flu can also exacerbate existing chronic health conditions. Warning signs of serious complications include difficulty breathing, persistent chest or abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, seizures, severe weakness, and a fever or cough that initially improves before worsening again.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with Kaydin’s medical expenses, prosthetic limbs, and necessary home modifications. Her mother has also become an advocate for limb loss awareness.