A 13-year-old Kerrville girl is in a San Antonio-area hospital facing a fight most adults would struggle to imagine, after a brutal case of influenza B spiraled into life-threatening complications and a triple amputation. Family members say Kaydin Ruiz was admitted in early February and has spent weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit as doctors worked to control infection and organ failure. Friends, neighbors and schoolmates have launched fundraisers to help with mounting medical bills while the family shares careful updates on her condition.
On Tuesday, surgeons removed both of Kaydin’s legs below the knee and her right arm above the elbow in a five-hour operation, marking the start of what will be a long and difficult recovery. According to MySA, the surgery followed an episode of influenza B that progressed earlier this month into pneumonia, septic shock and multi-organ failure. Kaydin’s mother, Amanda Valdez, has been posting frequent updates on social media as her daughter remains hospitalized.
The family launched a fundraiser in early February, and the accompanying GoFundMe page lays out the intense medical course Kaydin has endured so far: intubation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), dialysis and a brief cardiac arrest before doctors were able to resuscitate her. Per the GoFundMe, organizers say donors have been contributing toward a $40,000 goal meant to help cover ICU costs and related expenses so Kaydin’s parents can remain at her bedside.
Community members in Kerrville have organized a silent auction and other drives to support the family, and Valdez recently shared a late-night update saying her daughter’s vital signs had been “all over the place.” According to MySA, she wrote, “please continue your prayers — our girl is still fighting as hard as she can,” adding that Kaydin was “completely sedated and on a paralytic” while doctors prepared to place a valve on Wednesday to repair a chest-tube leak.
When the flu becomes more than a fever
Most children bounce back from seasonal influenza with rest and fluids, but health authorities caution that the virus can sometimes unleash far more serious complications. In a small number of cases, flu infections can trigger pneumonia, sepsis and multi-organ failure, which in rare situations may lead to limb loss when blood flow is severely compromised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent analysis of pediatric influenza-associated deaths highlights these severe outcomes and emphasizes both vaccination and prompt medical care when symptoms worsen. The agency recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
For Texans, the Texas Department of State Health Services notes that influenza-associated pediatric deaths are reportable and urges caregivers to seek immediate medical attention if a child’s breathing or mental status declines.
Kaydin’s family has asked for privacy as she recovers, along with continued prayers and support from the community. Those who want to help can find updates and donate via the family’s GoFundMe page.
