In February 2011, Madi Allen, a healthy 12-year-old in Central Illinois, who liked playing sports, practically passed away from the influenza. The influenza B infection led to her establishing necrotizing pneumonia, where the infection sets off swelling that damages the tissue of the lungs, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and her kidneys close down. She was placed on life assistance and dialysis, and was intubated for 5 weeks. She invested another 2 months in health center and a years recuperating from the damage triggered.

Allen, now 28, shared her experience with Live Science.

Hannah Osborne is the world Earth and animals editor at Live Science. Prior to Live Science, she worked for a number of years at Newsweek as the science editor. Before this she was science editor at International Business Times U.K. Hannah holds a master’s in journalism from Goldsmith’s, University of London.