A South Jersey mother of two has reportedly passed away from complications related to the flu.

This flu season has been wicked.  The death of 40-year old Nicole A. Born of Voorhees offers more proof that flu symptoms are not to be taken likely.

CourierPostOnline.com reports Born died in a hospital Sunday from complications of the flu and pneumonia. She had no known chronic health conditions, according to her father, Gary Born of Brigantine.

Nicole, who's household came down with the virus over the holidays, leaves behind her husband, Ken, a 7-year old daughter and a 3-year old son.

Family says Born was too busy taking care of her family's sickness to treat her own. By the time she reached emergency care, two days before she died, Born had labored breathing and was hallucinating. Doctors tried unsuccessfully to oxygenate her blood using a machine.

Just like I did, Born tested positive for H3N2 (influenza A virus), the most common flu virus going around this season. The CDC cautions the A strain is associated with higher rates of severe illness and death.

Born's flu-related death is relatively unusual. On average, nearly 90 percent of flu-related deaths in the United States occur in people 65 and older, according to the CDC.

Nicole A. Born graduated from Eastern High School in 1993, earning a full athletic scholarship to Monmouth College for softball and basketball.

Funeral services for take place Saturday at Knight Funeral Home, 14 Rich Ave., Berlin, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animal Welfare Association, 509 Centennial Boulevard, Voorhees.

When to Seek Urgent/Emergency Care for the Flu:

  • difficulty breathing
  • pain in the chest or abdomen
  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • sudden dizziness
  • confusion
  • severe or persistent vomiting
  • flu-like symptoms that improve and then return with a fever and worse cough

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