HOUSTON -- A Houston teen who died from swine flu last week was buried on Sunday, just a month before his 19th birthday.
Raymond Plotkin, a Westbury High School graduate, died in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he was attending college.
The University of New Mexico freshman came down with flu-like symptoms about two weeks ago. He eventually went to the hospital, but doctors couldn't save him and he died on November 11.
“Just like that, it came to an end,” said Jason Plotkin, the victim's brother. “It’s just tough.”
Jason Plotkin said the virus attacked his younger brother's lungs and heart.
“When it really hits home and you see all these people in the ICU with H1N1 -- especially someone in your family -- it’s like, ‘Wow. This is real. This is legit,’” Plotkin said.
While Raymond Plotkin had health issues growing up, he had no problems in the last couple of years, according to family members. Doctors told the family they do not believe underlying health problems contributed to his death.
“It’s just amazing how quickly swine flu took him and he did everything right. That’s the one thing that everyone at the hospital said. He did everything right,” said Jason Plotkin.
The nuclear engineering major did not have a chance to get the swine flu vaccine.
Raymond’s brother hopes his family’s experience can help others.
“You see those signs, wash your hands. You wash your hands," he said. "If you can get the H1N1 shot, I know it’s hard to get, you know, wherever you get the shot, you got to be preventative. Everything you can do to stay healthy and stay safe."
