Philly Man Dies of Swine Flu, Complications

By Teresa Masterson
|  Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009  |  Updated 5:30 PM EDT
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Philly Man Dies of Swine Flu, Complications

NBC Philadelphia

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Facebook Prayers Saving Son's Life

Kevin Hirsch is defying medicine. The 26-year old is battling Swine flu, pneumonia and other infections, but doctor's said his time was up at least four times. Kevin's dad says prayers from family, friends and strangers are keeping him going.

You can join Kevin's fight and pledge prayers for his recovery on Facebook by joining Prayers for Kevin Hirsch here.
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A 26-year-old Northeast Philadelphia man died from swine flu that complicated by pneumonia Wednesday morning.

Kevin Hirsh, who’s father credited encouraging Facebook posts from strangers as the reason the sick man was hanging on for so long, died at 9:45 a.m. at Aria Torresdale Hospital.

Hirsh’s father, Michael, said that he made the decision to take his son off lie support after he suffered for two weeks with swine flu, complicated by pneumonia and other secondary infections.

Two weeks ago Kevin came home from his job at McDonald’s with a fever. Though he initially thought he was getting better, his fever rose drastically and he was rushed to the hospital and went on life support and went into an induced coma.

Kevin’s father credits hundreds of Facebook supporters with keeping the 26-year-old going for as long as he did, and said that their support saved his son’s life four times.

On Monday doctors said that Kevin only had a 10 percent chance of survival. Michael wrote on the Facebook page Tuesday night that Kevin’s lack of oxygen had done irreversible damage to his son’s brain.

Almost 1,000 people from around the world viewed Kevin’s Facebook prayer page.
 

Posted Nov 18, 2009
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