A 13-year-old boy who was complaining about headaches tragically died just days after his family thought he had a common cold.
Chance Peniongo woke up on June 20 and started his day as he would any other as he headed to school.
"He didn’t seem off in any which way," Rose shared with 7NEWS.
However, several hours later, Regina Rose received a call to pick up her son, who was complaining of headaches.
Initially attributing his symptoms to a common cold, Regina soon realized something was seriously wrong when Chance's condition rapidly deteriorated.
He suffered seizures and was rushed first to a hospital in Echuca and then airlifted to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
Doctors diagnosed Chance with influenza A, which had led to a severe brain condition known as acute necrotising encephalitis.
Despite being placed on life support for several days, Chance passed away just six days after falling ill.
A month after her son’s death, Regina spoke to 7NEWS, reflecting on her son’s life and the devastating impact of the rare disease. She recalled her immediate concern upon seeing Chance at school that afternoon.
"There was a big difference from looking at him that morning to looking at him at lunchtime," she said. "I could see that he wasn’t well."
Chance’s symptoms, initially limited to headaches, worsened overnight.
The following morning, Regina was alarmed to hear Chance moaning and found him unresponsive, prompting an emergency call.
"I didn’t know much about influenza A, but it still for me, didn’t explain the seizures," Regina said. "I didn’t understand it."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Chance's family and it further outlines the horror that they went through.
The page reads: "While Chance was kept on life support for several days from Friday to the following Wednesday, he did not regain consciousness and family members were left devastated with the sudden nature of his illness and shock of the diagnosis.
"Regina and the family would like to acknowledge the Royal Children’s Hospital for giving Chance the very best care medically and looking after him so well.
"Chance passed away peacefully and surrounded by his immediate family on Wednesday 26 June."
The 13-year-old's family has described him as "a real-life angel who lit up every room that he walked into."
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised just over AUD$10,000 ($6,500).
Our thoughts are with Chance's loved ones during this difficult time.