Girl, 12, dies from infection doctors misdiagnosed as flu, family says

VISALIA, Calif. -- Loved ones say, Alyssa Alcaraz showed signs of having the flu. With so many people being impacted by it, they were certain that is what she had.

But it was not until the 12-year-old died that they learned the young girl had a bacterial infection that was quickly moving inside her body.

Family members of Alyssa cherished a video of what the pre-teen doing what she loved most: singing. No one thought it would be the middle school student's last concert, but ten days later, she died unexpectedly.

Mariah Alcaraz recalls the day her sister got sick.

"I remember she came home from school and she was throwing up and I thought oh she's probably got food poisoning shes going to be OK," Alcaraz said.

But it was not food poisoning.

Alyssa's mom, who did not want to go on camera, said doctors said her daughter had the flu. After a few days of staying home from school and not getting better, they took Alyssa back to urgent care.

That is when a physician realized the young girl's oxygen levels were low. She was immediately rushed to Kaweah Delta Medical Center by ambulance.

Within hours, Alyssa's organs started shutting down. Her family said she coded six times. By 2:50 p.m. Sunday, the vibrant girl with a passion for music died.

Her death certificate said she went into cardiac arrest and septic shock from a strep blood infection - an infection no one in her family knew she had.

Now, they are left holding onto memories and a cell phone video where Alyssa reminded them of how much they meant to her.

If you would like to donate to the Alcaraz family you can visit their GoFundMe here.