7-month-old baby dies from bacterial meningitis

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD/Gray News) – A 7-month-old baby died after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and the flu at the same time.

Christopher Santos and his wife said their daughter Maya unexpectedly fell ill on September 29.

“Doctors told us she had the rhinovirus, and they compared it to a common cold. They just sent her home and told us to keep her hydrated, control her pain and fever with over-the-counter medications — there’s not much we can do,” Santos said.

Santos said Maya seemed normal for a while, but things suddenly changed. Maya’s parents took her back to the hospital after things seemed to get worse.

“She had meningitis, but she also had the flu which made the meningitis worse and ultimately infected her brain,” Santos said.

Maya died a few days later.

Although Santos said no parent should have to bury their child, he believes the loss will make him a better father to his eldest daughter.

“I hug my eldest a little tighter, I give her a longer kiss. I find myself reminding myself that I need to be more patient, and I need to be kinder,” Santos said.

Santos and his wife decided to donate Maya’s organs to others in need.

“It meant a lot to my wife that Maya would live on somewhere else and save families from the pain we are experiencing,” Santos said, adding that her organs have gone to at least two families.

In a show of support for the Santos family, a walk of honor was held at Covenant Children’s Hospital on Tuesday and a donor flag was raised in her honor.

“It was so humbling to see everyone honor Maya’s sacrifice. I never expected the community to come together and be as loud as it was for Maya,” Santos said.

Santos believes his story is proof that every parent needs to hug and love their child more, because tomorrow is not promised.

“You don’t want to lie down and wish you did more because it’s eating you up. I try not to live with those regrets now with my eldest,” Santos said.

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