Woman Miscarries, Fights for Her Life after Flu | The Weather Channel
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Cold and Flu

A severe case of H1N1 hospitalized Leslie Creekmore and caused her miscarriage.

ByJeffrey KopmanFebruary 7, 2014


Leslie and Chris Creekmore. (Photo from Love For Leslie — a GoFundMe page to raise money for Leslie's medical expenses.)


During her first trimester, Leslie Creekmore was advised by her OB-GYN to not get the flu shot, advice that could cost her her life.

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Leslie entered a hospital in Fort Smith, Ark. on Jan. 11, before being moved via an emergency flight to St. Louis, Mo., because of complications from the H1N1 flu. The virus not only contributed to her double pneumonia, but also likely caused a spontaneous miscarriage on Jan. 16, according to a report from CNN.

(MORE: Who Should NOT Get the Flu Vaccine?)

“Leslie is still holding her own, but we have some sad news to report. She lost the baby today. It's not due to her getting worse or anything in particular happening. Her body just spontaneously delivered the baby,” wrote Jamie Creekmore, Leslie’s sister-in-law, on the family’s fundraising site Love for Leslie. “The baby could not live without Leslie at this point, but Leslie has a chance to live without the baby. We are all devastated by this loss, but we still have Leslie and she is fighting for her life.”

As of Jan. 29, she remains hospitalized and in a coma.

Leslie was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 11 with complaints of “being short of breath.” Two days later, doctors placed her on a ventilator because of complications from severe double pneumonia, likely because of a secondary infection from H1N1.

Although the flu vaccine does not always protect patients from the flu, health officials recommend everyone get the shot because it does prevent the majority of cases, and it can prevent severe complications such as Leslie’s.

Although Leslie’s OB-GYN did not recommend the flu shot, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends all pregnant woman get vaccine. Influenza can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to spreading Leslie’s story, her husband Chris Creekmore is raising money for her medical bills and to support free flu vaccination clinics. Chris told CNN he thinks everyone should receive the flu vaccine.

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