What is benign acute childhood myositis?

Benign acute childhood myositis is a rare disease typically following viral infections, characterized by sudden leg pain and weakness in children.

Can the flu cause paralysis in children like Tori?

Yes, while rare, complications from the flu can lead to conditions like benign acute childhood myositis, causing temporary inability to walk.

What should parents do if their child has severe leg pain after flu?

Parents should trust their instincts and seek immediate medical attention, especially if pain is intense or mobility is affected, even if initial symptoms seem mild.

Home / Health / Flu's Silent Threat: Girl Hospitalized, Can't Walk

Flu's Silent Threat: Girl Hospitalized, Can't Walk

7 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

A 9-year-old girl was hospitalized and unable to walk due to flu complication.
Doctors diagnosed her with benign acute childhood myositis, a rare disease.
Her mother urges vigilance, advising parents to trust their intuition.

Flu's Silent Threat: Girl Hospitalized, Can't Walk

A mother's vigilance saved her daughter from a severe flu complication that left the 9-year-old hospitalized and unable to walk. Ashley Geuther of Michigan shared her daughter Tori's terrifying experience, which began with typical flu symptoms including high fever and fatigue. After her fever broke, Tori complained of intense, deep leg pain, rendering her unable to stand or walk.

Despite initial dismissal from a walk-in clinic, Geuther persisted, taking Tori to the ER. There, diagnostic tests revealed benign acute childhood myositis, a rare condition often following viral infections like the flu. This diagnosis caught Geuther completely by surprise, highlighting the importance of recognizing less common illness presentations.

Tori required hospitalization for IV fluids and pain management. While she has since recovered and returned to normal activities, Geuther aims to raise awareness among other parents. She emphasizes trusting children's reports of pain, even if symptoms seem unusual, and trusting parental intuition when something feels seriously wrong.