{"id":383071,"date":"2026-01-02T06:34:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T06:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/383071\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T06:34:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T06:34:08","slug":"influencers-young-son-dies-after-flu-complication-battle-followed-by-thousands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/383071\/","title":{"rendered":"Influencer’s young son dies after flu complication battle followed by thousands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n

A Catholic influencer announced Thursday that his 5-year-old son had died after an 11-day battle with a severe case of the flu<\/a>, a loss that unfolded publicly as he shared updates almost daily online.<\/p>\n

Paul J. Kim, who shares faith-based content with more than 300,000 followers on Instagram<\/a>, said his son Micah died on New Year\u2019s Eve.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In an emotional video posted Thursday, Kim thanked supporters for their prayers<\/a> and asked for privacy as his family grieves.<\/p>\n

“We are so proud of him,” Kim said in the video. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up<\/a> during this time. It\u2019s been the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever been through in my life, and it continues to be.”<\/p>\n

Kim first shared news of Micah\u2019s illness Dec. 21, when he posted that his son was being taken to a hospital by ambulance after a medical emergency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018AGGRESSIVE\u2019 NEW FLU VARIANT SWEEPS GLOBE AS DOCTORS WARN OF SEVERE SYMPTOMS<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Ambulance <\/p>\n

The young boy was taken by ambulance Dec. 21 to a hospital.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n

In subsequent updates, Kim said doctors described Micah\u2019s illness as an unusually severe case of the flu. Kim later told followers that Micah had been placed on life support and urged people to pray.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In later updates, he revealed that the flu infection had turned septic and triggered seizures. At the time, Kim said doctors described the case as rare and serious<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a Dec. 30 update, Kim said his son\u2019s condition had worsened and that Micah was in a coma as doctors and family members<\/a> worked to give him as much time as possible.<\/p>\n

RECORD-BREAKING FLU NUMBERS REPORTED IN NEW YORK STATE, SPARKING WARNINGS FROM OFFICIALS<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Flu <\/p>\n

According to recent data, the CDC reported 288 pediatric flu deaths in the recent 2024-25 season. (iStock)<\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s posts<\/a>, some of which showed Micah in the hospital, were viewed millions of times.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Throughout the ordeal, Kim referred to his son as a fighter and “my hero.”<\/p>\n

In a written Instagram post, he quoted Job 1:21, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” and said Micah had entered “the never-ending glory, love, and peace of God.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

He added that while his family\u2019s hearts are broken, they continue to rely on their faith<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kim also asked followers to pray for his family as they learn “how to live by faith and not by sight.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

CELEBRITY TRAINER SAYS TENNESSEE COMMUNITY SAVED HIS 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER DURING CANCER BATTLE<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Young <\/p>\n

Kim first shared news of his son’s illness Dec. 21.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n

According to recent data, the CDC reported 288 pediatric deaths in the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n

This has been a record high for a non-pandemic year, mostly among unvaccinated kids, with 70% having underlying conditions like asthma.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition, a new so-called “super flu” strain has emerged this season, a mutation of influenza A H3N2 called subclade K. It’s highly contagious and aggressive and is sweeping the nation this season.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n

On average, around 20,000 children under 5 are said to be hospitalized annually, with younger children (under 6 months) facing the highest mortality risk, highlighting the importance of annual vaccination, according to the CDC.<\/a><\/p>\n

Kim did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n

Fox News Digital’s Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n