DENVER -- The parents of an 8-year-old Larimer County boy who died of the flu are speaking out about what happened to their son in hopes that it will help other parents take action and take the illness seriously.

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Couple Speaks Out About How Flu Killed Their Son

Scott and Carry Ann Williams lost their son, Joseph, on Monday.

"It happened so quick and so sudden. He was fine. He wasn't even that sick," Scott Williams said.

The 8-year-old boy from Wellington went to school last Friday and then went home, complaining of a stomachache later that evening.

"He didn't have the symptoms of the flu, so there was no alarm, no fever," Williams said.

Although Joseph never had a fever or a headache, the pain persisted. The Williamses called their doctor, who suggested fluids and rest. By early Monday morning, Joseph was still hurting so his parents took him to a hospital.

Hours later, his veins collapsed. An autopsy confirmed he had died from respiratory failure with influenza type A infection. According to health officials, the child's illness was not typical of influenza symptoms, which are usually respiratory in nature with coughing and fever, and generally not what people often call the "stomach flu." The child's symptoms included nausea and abdominal pain.

The Williamses believe by sharing their story, they can convince other families to deal aggressively with the flu if it strikes their home.

"I'm OK with him being gone. But I just hope that it has its purpose. You know, he was purpose driven," Carrie Ann Williams said.

Joseph's father said he doesn't want his son to have died in vain.

"Just have your kids checked, even if they act sick, there's meaning in it," Scott Williams said.

Joseph did not receive a flu shot this year, his parents said. His younger brother was taken to an emergency room later on Monday, also suffering from flu symptoms, but he's doing fine now.

Parents of children who attend Joseph's Larimer County elementary school were notified by the principal about the student's death. There is no current flu outbreak in the school and no unusual numbers of students had been absent, health officials said.

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So far, four children in Colorado have died of flu-related illnesses, three of those at Children's Hospital.

A 15-year-old boy who had other medical conditions died from flu complications last week, becoming the first flu-related fatality in Colorado this year. A 2-year-old girl and a 21-month-old died in the past week. The 2-year-old child, adopted from China just four months ago, was identified as Rylee Xinru Sparks, 7NEWS reported.

The state health department says flu activity in the state is "widespread" a designation that Colorado shares with Texas and Nevada. It's the highest level of flu activity reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Colorado reported 3,957 cases of influenza, already surpassing the 2,691 cases seen during the entire flu season last year. Last year at this time, there were less than 15 flu cases in the entire state.

Officials said the actual number of cases is probably much higher than the reported number because most adults with the virus don't see a doctor.

Students in the East Grand School District, which includes Granby, Grand and Fraser, had no school Wednesday because so many students were out sick with the flu, whooping cough and strep throat.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs and respiratory system. The most common symptoms of the flu include:

Fever, usually 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but can go up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and usually lasts three to four days;

Headache, sudden onset and can be severe

Sore throat

Muscle aches, often severe

Coughing, which can become severe

Tiredness and weakness, which can last two or more weeks

Sneezing

Runny nose

Young children may also have nausea and vomiting

When Parents Should Take Action

Only certain symptoms in pediatric patients warrant serious concern, according to Dr. Dean Prina, of Partners in Pediatrics.

"I've been telling parents to be especially on the lookout for really high fevers of 105 or 106 degrees, progressive irritability in small babies, kids whose fluid intake is so decreased that they are at increased risk for dehydration," Prina told 7NEWS. "We're trying to reassure parents that most healthy kids are going to be fine."

A doctor with the Colorado Health Department had additional medical advice for parents of sick children.

"You should call (your doctor) if your child has a high fever that does not respond to over-the-counter fever medication including acetaminophen and ibuprofen," said Dr. Ned Calonge of the Colorado Health Department. "This could signal a more serious infection."

To avoid the flu during this peak season:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Get a flu or pneumonia shot. They take about two weeks to take effect.

If you are sick:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away, or cough into your sleeve. Don't sneeze into your hands.
Stay home.
Don't share utensils, towels or personal items.
Don't visit friends or family in the hospital.

Information about flu is available on the Colorado information toll-free hot line at (877) 462-2911. Trained information specialists are available to answer questions in English and Spanish.