Tributes Pour for Teen Misdiagnosed with Tonsillitis Who Died of Rare Blood Disorder

A teenager incorrectly diagnosed with tonsillitis died within weeks after doctors determined that she was suffering from a rare type of blood disorder.

Leah Rogers, 17, was excited to have her very first holiday in Majorca, Spain without the adults but shortly after coming home from that trip, the teenager fell ill and was diagnosed with tonsillitis because she had a had time swallowing her food. Doctors prescribed antibiotics for the discomfort in Rogers' throat but this did not resolve her medical issues.

After going back and forth for more check-ups and tests, the doctors said that Rogers had glandular fever, which meant her condition will clear on its own. However, the teenager soon experienced liver failure and had to be hospitalized.

She was later moved to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham when her condition deteriorated. There, doctors determined that Rogers was actually suffering from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare blood disorder, per Daily Record.

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Rogers family cannot comprehend her illness

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis or HLH commonly affects children who may have likely inherited the disease. However, it may be triggered in adults due to an infection or an illness like cancer.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, HLH brings down the body's immune system as the white blood cells attack other blood cells. Its symptoms may include fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, swollen lymph nodes, jaundice, skin rashes, lung problems, and nervous and digestive systems.

Since the condition is quite rare, doctors are still learning about HLH. Treatment will also depend on the case, the patient's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Some cases may need cancer drugs while other cases may require immunotherapy and steroids. There are other cases that need milder treatments like antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

However, Rogers' health spiraled faster than anyone can imagine. After her liver failure, she was placed in intensive care and had to be ventilated. She died within hours of her hospital transfer on June 7, 2022.

The teenager's family said they could not understand what had happened to her. Her friends are also devastated about her sudden death. Those who knew her described Rogers as an intelligent young woman who was passionate about life. She was regarded as the dependable and caring mother of her group. She had a fantastic sense of humor and was a charismatic teenager.

"We all just can't comprehend it," Rogers' father said. "We all think this is just a bad dream that one day we can wake up from and she will be there."

Raising Awareness for HLH

Friends and family members have come up with a fundraiser via JustGiving to help raise awareness for HLH. The money collected will go to HistoUK, a charity that conducts research on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Rogers was supposed to celebrate her 18th birthday in September. Instead, her family will run a charity event in her honor. Their small community has also been helping out with funeral arrangements.

The family also made it clear that they know and acknowledge the local hospitals that did everything to help the teenager. Rogers' loved ones were able to say their final goodbyes before she died of multiple organ failure due to the HLH.

"There was nothing more hospital staff could do to save Leah and it was time to let her go," the family said.

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