Indiana – October 19, 2025 – In a heartbreaking and poignant message, Ashlee Dahlberg is sharing her grief after the tragic loss of her 8-year-old son, Liam Dahlberg, who died just four days after complaining of a headache. Liam was diagnosed with a rare and deadly bacterial infection, Haemophilus influenzae (H. flu), which ultimately spread to his brain and spinal cord. His mother’s message aims to raise awareness about this rare but potentially deadly infection, and the importance of vaccinations in preventing it.
What Happened
On April 2025, Liam Dahlberg, an 8-year-old boy from Indiana, returned home from school complaining of a headache. His family initially thought it was a typical illness, but within days, his condition rapidly worsened. Four days later, Liam was declared brain dead, after being diagnosed with haemophilus influenzae, a bacterium that caused meningitis—an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Despite being fully vaccinated against H. flu as part of his routine childhood immunization schedule, Liam’s case was a tragic reminder that even vaccines with high effectiveness rates cannot guarantee complete immunity. The infection spread so aggressively that Liam’s life support was turned off, and he passed away while his family was at his side.
Understanding Haemophilus Influenzae (H. Flu)
H. flu is a bacterium, not a virus, and though it sounds similar to the flu, it is far rarer and deadlier. The infection is typically harmless and lives in the nose and throat of many healthy individuals. However, under certain conditions—such as a weakened immune system or concurrent viral infections like a cold—it can enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs, causing severe damage. In Liam’s case, it led to meningitis, which caused his condition to deteriorate rapidly.
Ashlee explained to local news station 13WMAZ the intense and indescribable pain she felt as she sat beside her son, listening to the doctors say, “You did everything right, there’s just nothing we could do.” Ashlee described the emotional moment when she had to watch her son’s life support turned off, and his little heartbeat faded away.
A Breakthrough Infection
The family remains unsure of how Liam contracted the infection. They were reassured that he had been fully vaccinated against H. flu, with the vaccine being about 95 percent effective at preventing infections. However, experts suspect that Liam may have suffered a breakthrough infection after possibly coming into contact with an unvaccinated child at school, who was carrying high levels of the bacterium.
In a GoFundMe set up to help with the medical costs, the family described Liam as “a bright and smart young boy, full of life and potential”. They reflected on how his presence brought joy and warmth to everyone he met, and how deeply his loss has affected all who knew him.
The Importance of Vaccination
Before the introduction of the H. flu vaccine in 1985, this bacterium caused around 20,000 serious infections per year in the U.S., with most victims being children under the age of 5. Thanks to the widespread adoption of the vaccine, the number of cases has significantly dropped to fewer than 50 cases per year in young children today. However, there has been a decline in vaccine uptake in recent years, linked to growing vaccine mistrust in some communities.
Ashlee is urging all parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against preventable diseases like H. flu, emphasizing the importance of protecting children from potentially life-threatening infections. She hopes that her family’s pain can serve as a cautionary tale, urging others to prioritize vaccinations for their children’s health and safety.
Conclusion
The death of Liam Dahlberg is an incredibly tragic reminder of how rapidly some infections can spread and the importance of vaccinations in preventing such devastating outcomes. His mother, Ashlee, continues to advocate for vaccine awareness, hoping that her loss will lead others to ensure their children are protected against this and other preventable diseases.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
