A young boy in Alabama tragically died after spending an entire week in the hospital, battling a severe case of the flu.

Jace Watkins, 11, fell ill on December 18, but was told by a doctor the following day that his lungs sounded clear, according to a GoFundMe set up by his family.

'He was telling everybody he was fine, he felt fine, and then I guess he started throwing up that night, and then he had a seizure,' his aunt, Sabrina Parsons, told WBRC. 

However, on December 20, Watkins suffered a seizure and was hospitalized at Children's of Alabama medical facility in Birmingham.

There, he was diagnosed with the flu and placed on a ventilator as he fought for his life in critical condition.

Sabrina wrote on Facebook that Watkins' heart had stopped beating at one point, and the young boy had to be shocked back to life.

'The doctors did say if he didn't have any brain activity in the next couple of days that he would be brain dead,' she told the local news station.

The boy's family, along with the Hueytown Intermediate School, where he was a fifth-grade student, held a prayer vigil for him on Tuesday.

Jace Watkins (pictured), 11, died after he was hospitalized for a week battling the flu

His family said the boy felt fine until he suffered a seizure and was taken to the children's hospital where he was diagnosed with the flu

His grandfather, Scott Parsons, told the local news station that Jace's condition worsened late that night when he began experiencing seizures and briefly flatlined, and doctors continued to run tests.

'They did one this morning. They didn't like the results of it, so they kind of weaning him off of certain medications that may cause some complications because he's in a state of sedation,' Scott said. 

'They say that could help, but right now it looks like a train that's on its way.' 

Sabrina explained that Watkins had no underlying conditions and was healthy before he got sick. 

'He was a premature baby, but other than that, he’s had inhalers and stuff, but that’s been years ago,' she added.

On Sunday, his family announced that Watkins had died after his battle with the flu late Saturday night.

'I just want to thank each and every one of you for all the sweet kind words and the prayers for my sweet great-grandson Jace Watkins, who went to heaven at 9.40 tonight,' his great-grandmother, Joann Parsons, wrote on Facebook.

'He was so loved by everyone, our hearts are broken, but you will never know what it meant to us for y’all to show so much love to us and to Jace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

His aunt said Watkins' heart had stopped beating at one point, and the young boy had to be shocked back to life

She explained that Watkins (pictured) had no underlying conditions and was healthy before he got sick

Hueytown Intermediate School, where he was a fifth-grade student, described Watkins as a 'bright light'

Sabrina added, 'I just want to say, Jace never even got to open his Christmas gifts. What do we even do now? This will forever weigh over our family.'

Hueytown Intermediate School principal Cari McClellan also posted a heartfelt tribute for the beloved student.

'Our hearts are broken this morning. 5th grader Jace Watkins passed away last night after a brief and sudden illness. There really aren’t words to adequately describe what we’re feeling right now,' McClellan wrote on Facebook.

'Jace was a bright light to everyone who knew him. His sweet, genuine smile will be missed by all. Please continue to pray for his family, and our school family, as we all work to navigate this unimaginable loss.'