Local Swine Flu Survivor

Hospital Swine Flu A 9-year old girl from Coden is in isolation at USA Children's and Women's Hospital after being diagnosed with swine flu.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Tue, September 15, 2009 - 4:56 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, September 15, 2009 - 5:34 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - A 9-year old is still in isolation at USA Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile after being diagnosed with swine flu.

Shelby John already had asthma but when she caught the flu, the 3rd grader ended up on a ventilator for weeks. Her Coden family has no idea where she got the new strain.

Courtney John admits that there were times that she thought her middle child wouldn't make it. "I'm trying not to cry because I feel like crying. She's a miracle and I'm glad I have her. We got through it. We had our church family and some of my family came down and got us through it."

Shelby is expected to go home later this week. Friends in South Mobile County have organized a fundraiser to help the John family pay the medical bill that insurance won't cover.

The event is at the Bayou La Batre Community Center on October 10th from 9am-5pm. You can also donate to the Shelby John Fund at any Regions Bank.

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KxVicious Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I had it and I don’t get what the fuss is all about…sore throat, runny nose, fever…all the usual stuff. I’d say the only difference was the body aches. They were almost unbearable. If you’ve ever had a tooth abscess…imagine that feeling…on your whole body, and that’s what the body aches are like…

Tiffany Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 11:31 am

Unless you are pregnant or immunocompromised they are not testing to determine if you have the h1n1 strain. They are doing a standard flu swab and assume that it is h1n1.

worknmom Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 10:16 am

I am so glad just little one is doing better! we will continue to pray for this little angerl! my sons both have asthma and I am so worried!! i pray they do not get this!

lth47 Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 9:27 am

I’m curious. . .when you go to the doctor to see if you have this flu, do they take a culture or something to verify it? I mean, how do they know you have (it) instead of just the regular flu or perhaps a sinus infection???

bamamama Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 8:58 am

My child has had the swine flu. It started with her throat hurting. I brought her to the dr. and she was put on Tamaflu. I’m very thankful it was caught early.

nightowl2552 Says:

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 12:18 am

I also wanted to say she lives in satsuma and attends Robert E Lee School…we had the grandkids here in Saraland for the week-end.

nightowl2552 Says:

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 11:33 pm

my granddaughter was just diaognosed with it also..she is in the first 24 hours.. whole family has to be treated with Tamiflu..we live in Saraland.. God bless Shelby and her family..

dixiesinging12 Says:

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 9:14 pm

my prayers go out to you and your family.she is truly a miracle.God has blessed and answered ur prayers.Hope all goes well for shelby and family.god bless you all.

southernpride7 Says:

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 9:07 pm

I am so glad this baby has gotten better. My son was diaognosed with swine flu and was sick for over a week. They need to hurry up with a vaccine for this.