Oklahoma mom warns parents of mosquitoes after son hospitalized with West Nile

An Oklahoma mother of an 11-year-old boy has a warning for parents. She said her son has West Nile virus, and she wants you to be aware of the symptoms.

Erin Ritchie said before her son, 11-year-old Tristyn Kendrix, was hospitalized with the disease, he was energetic, happy and loved to watch YouTube videos. Even though he can’t talk, she still plays the videos for him in his hospital room.

“He can’t speak and we don’t know about seeing. He’s on a ventilator. He had a trach done yesterday and feeding tube,” Richie said.

It’s been a rough road for the past four weeks.

Tristyn was diagnosed with West Nile after he was bitten by mosquitoes.

“He ended up coming home from school the last Thursday in September with a real bad headache at the back of his head,” Richie said.

Everything went downhill quickly.

“Within an hour, his fever spiked up to 104,” Richie said.

She rushed him to Children’s Hospital, where he is today. Doctors said West Nile virus is particularly bad for anyone with a compromised immune system.

Tristyn is a kidney transplant recipient. His case isn’t common.

No matter the numbers, his mom wants parents to be mindful of mosquitoes.

Click here to see how you can help the family.