Unvaccinated 18-year-old in intensive care at Texas Children’s Hospital battles COVID-19

HOUSTON – An 18-year-old was supposed to start his final year of high school, but instead he’s in intensive care battling COVID-19 at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Brenda Vazquez said her son, Felix, was showing mild symptoms of COVID before they quickly worsened. She took him to the hospital on August 9 after he had difficulty breathing.

“I cried so much, I can’t even cry anymore,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez works in the dental field and believes he contracted COVID-19 at work, then passed it on to his son.

Doctors use a treatment of last resort called ECMO, according to Vazquez.

“They put a tube in his neck, connected to his lungs, so he could better circulate oxygen,” Vazquez said.

MORE | Family describes 12-year-old boy’s ‘creepy’ COVID battle

She also said her son was overweight, which made him more at risk of contracting the virus.

Felix is ​​not vaccinated, a decision they made together.

“I didn’t feel comfortable because you hear the good and the bad, and it’s not approved,” Vazquez said.

If she could go back in time, Vazquez said, she would have done things differently.

“Seeing him like that, I think if he got vaccinated?” ” she said.

According to the Harris County Public Health Database, which was last updated on August 2, children and young adults aged 10-19 make up 15.2% of COVID cases. 19 in the region.

A spokesperson for Texas Children’s Hospital said there were 30 pediatric patients in their hospital under the age of 18.

“I don’t wish this on any mom,” Vazquez said.

With a bright future ahead of Felix, his mother said they were going to take things day to day.

“It’s the only thing I have left,” Vazquez said. “Just prayers. I woke up at four this morning crying.

The family asks anyone wishing to make a donation to visit the Facebook page they have created.

MORE | Texas County Judge Issues Stern Warning Regarding Pediatric Intensive Care Beds