DILWORTH, Minn. (KVLY/Gray News) – An 11-year-old girl is fighting for her life after suffering complications from the flu.
Five weeks ago, Olivia Lenhart was a happy, healthy fifth grader at Dilworth Elementary School.
But her days of being surrounded by school hallways have since been spent inside hospital walls.
She was originally diagnosed with influenza A, which quickly spiraled into pneumonia.
“We’re just devastated. We didn’t expect this to spiral out of control like this,” her father Mike Lenhart said.
Her family says Olivia’s condition also turned into acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening condition. She was intubated and placed on a ventilator for three weeks fighting to breathe.
Doctors have since removed the tube, but Olivia still faces a lot of unknowns.
“She’s had influenza A before, but adding pneumonia onto it kind of really put her down pretty quick,” Olivia’s mother Jamie Lenhart said.
Both parents said Olivia has always been a fighter. Born with Down syndrome, she’s been known to tackle any battle that comes her way.
“She’s always been very spunky. It’s kind of her way or the highway! I’m hoping she can just continue to keep up that same attitude through this,” her mother added.
Olivia’s parents are warning others about making sure they take flu diagnoses seriously.
“I mean, just get that extra test. It just could be a lifesaver,” Jamie Lenhart said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity in Minnesota and other states has reached the “high” category.
The family has since started a GoFundMe for assistance as they said Olivia is still requiring high levels of oxygen.
“If she isn’t strong enough to breathe on her own soon, she may need a tracheotomy and a feeding tube, which could mean long-term care at home,” family members shared.
For now, all the Lenhart family can do is wait, and hope their bubbly, 11-year-old girl bounces back.
“Right now, it’s really about how her body is reacting to everything,” Jamie Lenhart said. “Sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps back, but right now, it’s two steps forward, one step back.”
The Lenharts said they’re extremely grateful for both the community and the care they’re receiving at the hospital during this difficult time.
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