A Michigan schoolgirl developed a deadly flesh-eating bacteria that landed her in a coma after contracting a simple case of the flu.
Earlier this year, 10-year-old from Kennedy Mayer was diagnosed with influenza and seemed to be recovering normally.
But after a week, she complained of intense eye pain and her eye was completely swollen. ‘She looked like she had been punched in the eye,’ Kennedy’s mom Meghan Mayer said.
By the time they rushed to the hospital, Kennedy had gone into septic shock, a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system which prevents blood and oxygen flowing through the body.
Kennedy had to be put in a coma to prevent her lungs from failing.
Kennedy Mayer of Michigan was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis in March after contracting influenza B
Kennedy was placed in a medically induced coma for eight days as tissue in her toes and part of her face died
The sepsis was caused by necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, a severe bacterial infection that spreads quickly and kills healthy tissues.
Doctors couldn’t find a source but suspect it was from a secondary infection she contracted while sick with the flu.
Doctors had to remove swathes of skin from around her right eye which had began to rot and turn gangrenous.
In March 2024, Kennedy was admitted to her local hospital, intubated, and placed in a medically induced coma for eight days.
Because of her deteriorating condition, doctors transferred her to C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
While her mom did not specify which medications or treatments she had, many sepsis patients are given drugs called vasopressors to combat low blood pressure and divert blood back to vital organs.
However, when this happens, it cuts off circulation to non-vital areas like the arms and legs. This causes tissues to die off, sometimes resulting in amputations.
Kennedy began experiencing multi-organ failure and was rushed into surgery.
Her family ‘said goodbye to our girl for what we thought at the time would possibly be out last,’ Ms Mayer said on the family’s GoFundMe page.
Now, Kennedy has had eight surgeries, including a toe amputation. She also had to have a skin graft to cover the large cavity in her face caused by removing the necrotizing fasciitis and has been left with a large scar.
The CDC estimates there are 700 to 1,150 cases of necrotizing fasciitis in the US every year, killing one in five patients.
Normally, it occurs when bacteria like group A Streptococcus (group A strep), E Coli, or clostridium enter the body through open wounds.
The bacteria then moves quickly and starts multiplying in tissues and blood vessels around the joints. This leads to tissue death, otherwise known as necrosis.
However, Kennedy had no cuts or other injuries, which led doctors to believe she contracted strep A while she had the flu.
Strep A can also be transmitted person-to-person through breathing in respiratory droplets from someone who is infected.
Kennedy spent 52 days in the hospital recovering and learning how to walk and talk again
Kennedy is now working on regaining her mobility and preparing to have five more of her toes amputated
Ms Mayer, a teacher, said: ‘Somehow this caused all of this necrotizing fasciitis to develop in her face.
‘There has been nothing about Kennedy’s case that has been textbook. She has stumped even some of the brightest doctors here at this hospital.
‘Every single organ has taken a hit, and there are still other concerns moving forward, but we’re continuing to pray and take this one day at a time.’
About one in five cases of necrotizing fasciitis lead to amputations.
For Kennedy, this included her big toe last month. Ms Mayer also noted that five of Kennedy’s other toes will have to be amputated in the next few months.
Overall, Kennedy spent 52 days in the hospital, including in-patient rehab where she had to learn how to use her arms and legs and walk again.
Many sepsis patients suffer a loss of muscle mass, called muscle atrophy, which makes it difficult to walk and perform other basic functions.
Now, her family is focused on improving her mobility and preparing for any additional surgeries she may need. It’s unclear if Kennedy will be able to return to in-person school.
‘Every morning I wake up hoping this was all just a terrible nightmare, but I’m grateful for how much she has healed,’ Ms Mayer said.
‘We’re just so grateful she’s still here now.’
