John Hudson: A Houston Man’s Battle Against West Nile Virus

In a shocking turn of events, 73-year-old John Hudson from Houston finds himself in a fight for his life after contracting the deadly West Nile Virus. Hudson spent over a month in the ICU at Memorial Hermann Hospital, and although he has been discharged, his journey to full recovery is far from over.

According to Hudson’s son, Nicholas Hawkins, the ordeal began when Hudson went out for a meal on July 27 and never returned home. His mother eventually found him slumped over the steering wheel outside a Whataburger, leading to his immediate hospitalization.

Doctors identified the cause of Hudson’s health crisis as West Nile Virus, which resulted in a cascade of severe complications including fluctuating blood pressure, high fever, sepsis, kidney failure, internal bleeds, and more. Despite the absence of reported cases from the Houston Health Department, Hudson’s family is adamant that his battle with the virus is not an isolated incident.

The City of Houston and Harris County have reported numerous cases of West Nile Virus, with hundreds of positive samples found in mosquito traps across the region. Despite the discrepancy in reporting, Hudson’s family is determined to raise awareness about the dangers of the virus and encourage preventive measures.

Today, Hudson remains in critical condition, unable to walk or move much, while his wife juggles work and his care at the rehab facility. To support the family during this challenging time, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up.