Medically, he was fairly typical for an influenza fatality. A likely cause was that when his lungs were damaged from the flu, he got an opportunistic, secondary bacterial pneumonia. These can really boost influenza mortality rates, especially now, when such “nosocomial infections” are common.
“Nosocomial infections” are infections which are a result of treatment in a hospital or a health care service unit, but secondary to the patient’s original condition. They are sometimes called “iatrogenic infections”.
Staphylococcus aureus, and its more dangerous form, MRSA, is the most common post hospitalization infection. Necrotizing fasciitis, or “the flesh eating bacillus” is also common, as are E. coli infections.
Various fungal infections are increasingly appearing, and may be latent infections, waiting months or years before emerging when the immune system is weak.
It does not seem that his condition was worsened by his hospitalization. He was critically ill when he showed up in the ER. His passing seems too rapid to be the result of secondary bacterial infection.
It does not seem that his condition was worsened by his hospitalization. He was critically ill when he showed up in the ER. His passing seems too rapid to be the result of secondary bacterial infection.