An Indiana family is mourning the sudden and devastating loss of eight-year-old Liam Dahlberg, who died just hours after showing his first symptom.
In April, Liam returned home from school with a mild complaint: a headache. But by the next morning, his condition had deteriorated so rapidly that his family rushed him to the hospital.
There, MRI scans revealed Liam’s brain and spinal cord were overwhelmed by bacteria. His mother, Ashlee Dahlberg, was told the heartbreaking truth: “At that point in time, that's when there was there was nothing they could do.”
Doctors later determined that the vibrant young boy had been struck by an aggressive form of bacterial meningitis caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae, or Hib.
Just hours later, Liam was declared brain dead.
“I Would Never Wish This Pain on Anyone”
The Dahlberg family, now grappling with the unbearable weight of their loss, are speaking out in hopes of raising awareness about the deadly nature of Hib and the importance of childhood vaccinations.
“I would never wish this kind of pain on my worst enemy ever,” Ashlee told WHTR. “To have sat there and listened to the doctor say you did everything right, but there was just nothing we could do, and then to lay there with him as they took him off life support. And I could feel his little heartbeat just fade away.”
“There’s no words that can describe that pain,” she added. “I feel I have failed my child because I could not protect him from everything that would cause harm.”
What Is Haemophilus Influenzae (Hib)?
Despite its misleading name, Hib is not related to the seasonal flu. It is a bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets and can be carried by individuals with no visible symptoms.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Hib can lead to mild illnesses such as bronchitis, or in more severe cases, life-threatening conditions like septicemia, septic arthritis, and meningitis.
In Liam's case, the infection escalated rapidly to meningitis, a swelling of the brain and spinal cord’s protective membranes.
Dr. Eric Yancy, a pediatrician, emphasized the dangers of Hib before vaccinations were widely available.
“If it didn’t kill the children within a very short period of time, it left many of them with significant complicationsm," Dr. Yancy told WHTR.
The Role of Vaccinations and Falling Rates
Liam had received all his vaccinations against Hib. However, his doctors suspect he may have caught the infection from an unvaccinated classmate. “It’s likely Liam caught Hib from someone unvaccinated — possibly a child, as vaccination rates have fallen,” Dr. Yancy explained.
The vaccine for Hib was introduced in 1985 and has been highly effective—about 95 percent—in preventing infections.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, before the vaccine became standard, around 20,000 children in the US were affected annually, many of them previously healthy and well-nourished.
Children infected by Hib who survive may face lifelong consequences, including deafness, blindness, paralysis, or cognitive impairments.
Remembering Liam: “A Kind and Sweet Boy”
A GoFundMe page established to support the Dahlberg family’s medical expenses has raised over $54,000. The campaign describes Liam as: “A kind and sweet 8-year-old boy who touched the hearts of everyone around him… full of life and potential.”
“His presence brought joy and warmth to everyone he met,” the family wrote. “By contributing to this fundraiser, you will be helping to alleviate some of the financial strain on his family, allowing them to focus on healing and remembering the beautiful moments they shared with William.”
A Mother’s Mission
In the wake of their unimaginable loss, Ashlee Dahlberg is advocating for increased awareness and higher vaccination rates. She hopes no other parent has to endure the pain she now lives with daily.
“Anybody that contracts it usually dies within 24 hours,” she warned. “This is not your typical everyday flu.”
Her message is clear: the threat of Hib is real, and vaccination remains one of the most critical tools in preventing similar tragedies.
Our thoughts go out to Liam's family and loved ones at this time.