7-month-old 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 became ill on Sept. 29.

“Doctors told us that she had the rhinovirus, and they likened that to a common cold. They just sent her home and said keep her hydrated, control her pain and her fever with over-the-counter medication – 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 she appeared to be getting worse.

“She did have meningitis, but she also had the flu which helped aggravate the meningitis and eventually it infected her brain,” Santos said.

Maya died a few days later.

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

“I hug my oldest 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 an act of support for the Santos family, an honor walk 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 honoring Maya’s sacrifice. I never expected the community to come together and be as loud as they have for Maya,” Santos said.

Santos believes his story is a testament that every parent should hug and love their child more because tomorrow is not promised.

“You don’t want to lay down and wish you did more because it eats you. I’m trying not to live with that regret with my oldest now,” Santos said.

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