Port Lincoln twin Valli Johnson released from hospital as sister Ava continues flu fight

Twins Ava and Valli were both hospitalised with the flu – 730 kilometres apart. Now, there has been a positive turn in the Port Lincoln family’s ordeal.

Twins Valli (left) and Ava have been torn apart as they each battle a common virus. Picture: Supplied

• Twins’ double diagnosis sparks fight for life

There has been a heartwarming update for a Port Lincoln family, after their three-year-old twin daughters were each hospitalised with the flu – 730km apart.

Ava and Valli Johnson have spent the week in different states – Ava in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital and Valli in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide – after both were struck down with influenza A.

Twins Ava and Valli have been torn apart amid their separate health battles. Picture: Supplied

Valli, left, has since been released from hospital, but Ava is still in Melbourne after undergoing double heart surgery. Picture: Supplied

The usually inseparable sisters started showing signs of fever on Friday, before Ava’s tiny lungs started filling with fluid as the influenza triggered pneumonia.

Less than a week later, the brave Port Lincoln girl underwent two heart surgeries and was placed on a breathing machine.

Adding to the family’s unimaginable grief was the fact Valli had been rushed to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with the same symptoms as her best friend and sister.

But, the family’s ordeal has been slightly lessened, with Valli getting the all clear from doctors in Adelaide.

“She has turned a corner, she’s done really well and has been able to go home with her grandparents,” their mum Naomi-Shae Johnson said.

“It’s really positive, we definitely didn’t need two of them going down this road.”

Stephen and Naomi-Shae Johnson with daughters Ava and Valli. Picture: Facebook

Meanwhile, Ava has shown some small signs of improvement.

The three-year-old – who has been sedated throughout the nightmare – will have a CAT scan today to check on her lung function.

“We’ve had a little bit of hopeful news today that things are looking positive,” she says.

“She’s been able to do a few little things on her own, her rash is going away, so there’s lots of little things that are looking positive.

“We’ve never been to Melbourne before, there’s a lot of sitting around feeling helpless.”

To help with the costs, a GoFundMe has been set up to support the Johnson family.

Donations have flooded in, with the fundraiser almost reaching the $19,000 mark.

If you would like to help, you can donate here.

Originally published as Port Lincoln twin Valli Johnson released from hospital as sister Ava continues flu fight