Ivory Ricks, a 25-year-old Eastern student, died of chronic septic shock Sunday, Coles County Coroner Michael C. Nichols said.

Septic shock is a whole-body inflammatory state caused by infection.

Ricks had a Group A strep infection that caused the septic shock, Nichols said.

Ricks was treated in the emergency room at Sarah Bush Health Center for the strep infection, Nichols said.

“But nothing was conclusive at that point as to having her stay in the hospital,” he said.

“On the last visit, they did an X-ray that showed something in the lungs, like pneumonia, was starting.”

After the X-ray, Ricks’ condition started deteriorating.

“They actually lost her twice; (the) second time, they couldn’t bring her back,” Nichols said.

Ricks also suffered from lupus.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue.

Nichols said lupus weakens the immune system and could be why the strep infection occurred.

“The strep infection affected the kidneys,” Nichols said. “Renal failure was in progress; the liver was shutting down, and lungs, also.”

Nichols believes the strep infection was an isolated case.

“The germs are out there; some people are more susceptible than others,” Nichols said.

“I’ve made the health department aware of what took place.”

A memorial service for Ricks will be held at the Bibleway House of Prayer in Royal Lake on Saturday. A wake will start at 9 a.m. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Flowers for the service should be sent to Cathy M. Williams and Sons Funeral Home in Alton.