North Texas teacher dies after getting the flu

A North Texas teacher has died from complications from the flu.

Heather Holland, a second-grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School with the Weatherford Independent School District died over the weekend, the Weatherford Democrat reports. Holland got sick about a week ago and took medication, but delayed picking up the prescription due to the $116 copay, according to the newspaper.

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Heather Holland, 38, is a second grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School who died on Sunday due to complications of the flu. >>>See 10 flu prevention tips ... Heather Holland, 38, is a second grade teacher at Ikard Elementary School who died on Sunday due to complications of the flu. >>>See 10 flu prevention tips ... Photo: Weatherford ISD Photo: Weatherford ISD Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close North Texas teacher dies after getting the flu 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

By Friday night, Holland's condition worsened and she was taken to the hospital. Her husband Frank Holland told the Weatherford Democrat that she died Sunday morning.

"She loved helping people, helping the kids, and the kids loved her," Holland's husband told the Weatherford Democrat.

Charlotte LaGrone, a spokeswoman for Weatherford ISD, told news station CBS DFW that counselors are available at the school for the rest of the week to help students and school staff cope with the sudden loss. She added that custodians started deep cleaning the district's schools in December to keep students from getting sick, and that the specific campus where Holland was employed had received an additional cleaning on Friday, Feb. 2.

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This year's flu season has been particularly deadly, with flu-related deaths being reported across the nation. Last month, five flu-related deaths were reported in the greater Houston area. The CDC reports the flu is widespread across America this year and possibly won't peak until March.

Scroll through the gallery above to see top prevention tips for avoiding the flu.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.