A teenage girl died from 'kissing disease' after doctors wrongly believed she was having a stroke.

Ariana Rae Delfs, from Jacksonville in Florida, US, experienced cold-like symptoms and constant headaches three weeks ago and had visited several doctors.

The 17-year-old underwent a number of tests, including one for mononucleosis, also known as the kissing disease, but doctors were unable to tell what's wrong.

According to CBS-47 , father Mark Delfs said Ariana's condition deteriorated that he had to rush her to hospital.

He explained: "She got up to got to the bathroom, all of a sudden she couldn't feel part of her legs, and she felt like her legs were giving out.

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"Her words were very slurred at times. She was just talking gibberish, and the damage was already beginning at that point."

Doctors diagnosed Ariana with mononucleosis, often called mono, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can be commonly spread through saliva and other bodily fluids.

The virus has unfortunately caused inflammation in Ariana's brain.

Mark added: "Her brain swelled to the point where it couldn't function and brain damage did occur. And we just made the decision that it was time to let her go."

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Devastated Mark posted on Facebook on Monday: "It is with great shock and sorrow that we have to announce the tragic unexpected passing of one of the 3 shining lights in our lives, Ariana Rae Delfs.

"Ariana passed on peacefully after a short and unexpected illness. We wanted everyone to know that she fought as bravely as she could in this tragic fight.

"Being the generous soul that she was, Ariana decided recently in life to become an organ donor and she will now be touching lives far beyond her own."

The family has set up the Ariana Rae Delfs Legacy Fund on Gofungme.com and received over $17,500.

Mark left messages on the page to thank people for their donations.

He wrote: "Ariana was a gifted self-taught musician, artist and scholar-athlete attending Fernandina Beach High School in Florida.

"This legacy fund will be used to help fund some of her passions, including music and arts programs for children, helping animals and making the world a better place."

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