14-year-old dies from bacterial infection just days after showing symptoms, mom says
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A South Carolina family is mourning the loss of their 14-year-old child after getting a rare but serious bacterial infection.
Loved ones say William Hand had just graduated from the eighth grade at Hughes Academy of Science and Technology before he became ill.
William’s mom, Megan, said her son had meningococcal septicemia, also known as meningococcemia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections.
William’s mother says that is what happened with the bacteria getting into her son’s bloodstream.
The 14-year-old died last Sunday, within a few days of showing symptoms, family said.
William’s family said he was an athlete, a comedian, a music lover and a loyal friend.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health reports that there have been 12 cases of Neisseria meningitidis in the last year and a half, with four deaths.
Prisma Health Pediatric Infectious Disease Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch emphasizes that these cases are very rare, but the infections are aggressive.
“The infection happens so quickly, and once it starts going, sometimes it is very hard to save the person who is infected with the bacteria,” Burch said.
According to Burch, the illness is spread through saliva and respiratory secretions. It can spread when people come into close with an infectious person or share items.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting. It can also cause a rash that does not fade when pressed.
“We call it a petechial rash because it looks like broken blood vessels underneath the skin,” Burch said. “It’s not a typical rash that you would get with, let’s say, a viral infection. If you put your finger on it and press down really hard, the rash will stay there.”
A spokesperson for DHEC says they don’t consider the cases they have seen an outbreak.
“DPH investigates all reported cases of Neisseria meningitidis, looking for possible links. In regards to the 12 cases spread across the state within 18 months, no links were found and this does not fit the definition of an outbreak,” the department said.
There are two Food and Drug istration-approved vaccines to protect against Neisseria meningitidis: the Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines.
“The Meningococcal ACWY is recommended for all adolescents, and parents should talk to their child’s doctor to see if the Meningococcal B vaccine is right for them. These vaccines protect against most, but not all, diseases and complications caused by N. meningitidis infection,” health services said.
The family is asking people to donate to the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in memory of their son instead of sending flowers, saying the team there fought hard to keep William alive.
Copyright 2025 WHNS via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
