A 33-year-old Australian man has contracted a ‘likely incurable’ infection after visiting friends.
In July 2021, Chris Capper from Home Hill in Queensland, Australia, visited his friends in Mount Elliot in New South Wales.
Following this visit, Chris, who formerly worked as a roofer, has experienced a severe decline in his health, which he attributes to a single mistake he made during his trip.
While spending time with his friends, Chris consumed some unfiltered spring water, which he believes is the cause of his worsening health.
According to his GoFundMe page, he contracted ‘a rare tropical bug’ that ‘ate around a third of [his] lungs’.
After visiting numerous doctors who were unable to diagnose his condition, Chris was finally told in July 2023 that he had likely ingested nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), bacteria commonly found in soil, water, and dust.
The American Lung Association explains: “Everyone inhales NTM into their lungs as part of daily life, and in most people the organisms do no harm. But in a small number of vulnerable individuals, NTM gets established in the lungs as an infection.
“[…] Everyone comes into contact with NTM, but it usually only causes infection in people with underlying lung disease, such as bronchiectasis or COPD, a weakened immune system or older age.
“[…] Some common symptoms of NTM lung disease are chronic cough, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats.”
The impact on Chris’ health goes beyond his lungs.
The infection has reportedly reduced his kidney function to just ‘six percent’ at one point and has spread to various parts of his body, including his right hip, lower back, spinal segments l4 and l5, and both elbows.
His GoFundMe page also states that he now suffers from ‘abscesses’ ranging from ’50mm to 150mm’, ‘fractures,’ and is managing ‘type one diabetes’ and ‘cystic fibrosis’, alongside ‘nerve damage’ in his stomach which makes eating difficult.
Chris has to take 16 pills a day to manage his condition, telling Daily Mail Australia that his brain feels ‘stuffed’ because of it.
“My hip is shattered, I’ve got stomach ulcers and my eyes bleed. The doctors call it modern day tuberculosis,” he said.
“And they don’t even know if it’s going to work,” he added. “[…] I can’t help myself at all and the doctors don’t know much about the bug so it just feels like they’re waiting for me to die.”
Chris’ father passed away in September 2023, and he has no other family ‘alive’ to ‘help physically,’ with his friends able to ‘do so much’.
As a result, he has to drive 14 hours to Brisbane to receive treatment at The Prince Charles Hospital, spending weeks on a drip.
A report from one of his doctors stated that the ‘goal’ is ‘to try and suppress the infection and buy him time’, according to The Daily Mail.
To support his medical expenses, Chris has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money specifically for a $4,500 diabetes pump.
He added: “Also if you have any advice that could help that would be great.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.