Poppy Bilderbeck
A 33-year-old Australian has been left with a 'likely incurable' infection after visiting friends.
In July 2021, Chris Capper from Home Hill in Queensland, Australia went to visit his friends in Mount Elliot in New South Wales.
Since then, the former roofer's health has deteriorated drastically and he believes it's as a result of one small mistake he made.
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While with his mates, Chris ended up drinking some unfiltered spring water and he thinks this is what has since caused his health to decline.
According to his GoFundMe page, he caught 'a rare tropical bug' that 'ate around a third of [his] lungs'.
Indeed, after visiting multiple doctors who were unable to diagnose him, in July 2023, Chris was told he had probably ingested nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) - which is bacteria found in soil, water and dust.
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.
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"[...] 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."
And it's not just Chris' lungs which have been affected.
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The bug has also led to Chris reportedly having just a 'six percent kidney function' at one stage, with the infection having spread 'every where including right hip, lower back, l4 an l5 (spinal segments)' and 'both elbows'.
His GoFundMe adds that he now suffers from 'abscesses' which range from '50mm to 150mm' alongside 'fractures,' and on top of that has 'type one diabetes' to manage alongside 'cystic fibrosis' with 'nerve damage' in his stomach making it hard to eat.
Chris has been left having to take 16 pills per day in a bid to manage his
condition, explaining to Daily Mail Australia that his brain feels 'stuffed' as a result.
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"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 sadly passed away in September 2023 and he has no other family 'alive' to 'help physically,' with his friends only able to 'do so much'.
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Instead, he's left to drive 14 hours to Brisbane to receive treatment at The Prince Charles Hospital, spending weeks at a time on a drip.
A report from one of his doctors said the 'goal' is 'to try and suppress the infection and buy him time', as per The Daily Mail.
The former roofer has since started a GoFundMe to help support his medical costs and raise money specifically for a pump for his diabetes which costs $4,500.
He added: "Also if you have any advise [sic] that could help that would be great."
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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.