Fresh out of high school, 19-year-old Matt McIntosh had his music career on the horizon. Then, he woke up with a fever.
"Just flu-like. He was achy, you know. He had a headache."
Ten days later, Matt died from swine flu-related complications.
Three weeks later, the same virus took his older sister Mindy's life.
"It can happen to anybody. People really need to be cautious," mother, Katrina McIntosh said.
What do doctors know about H1N1?
"It's a virus that nobody has immunity to," Florida Hospital Centra Care Doctor, Tim Hendrix said.
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H1N1
News 8's Todd Boatwright shares what doctors are saying about staying healthy during this flu season.
 
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Experts also know the country is facing the health and economic burden of a double-flu season.
While so far the symptoms and complications of H1N1 are no different from seasonal flu, children and young adults seem to be more vulnerable.
"For some reason, with H1N1, we're not seeing as many older people," Hendrix said.
Keep yourself safe in the pandemic. Stay at least six feet away from people with a cough. If you're at risk of complications, get the vaccine for both seasonal and H1N1 flu.
And you know to wash your hands, but alcohol-based sanitizers protect against the virus if rubbed into the hands until dry.
"We have seen some deaths associated with H1N1, but it's what we would associate with a typical flu season," Hendrix said.
The Spanier family isn't taking any chances. Their girls are getting vaccinated today.
There's a lot of talk about how bad it might get," father, Adam Spanier said.
They're doing their part to curb the pandemic.
