Texas Man Loses Hands and Toes After Contracting Typhus from Flea Bite
Michael Kohlhof, a 35-year-old man from Houston, Texas, has experienced a life-altering ordeal after contracting a severe case of typhus from a flea bite. Kohlhof was admitted to a hospital in San Antonio in June after displaying flu-like symptoms.
Shortly after his arrival, Kohlhof’s condition worsened rapidly, leading to septic shock and his transfer to an intensive care unit. He was put on a ventilator, dialysis, and a combination of drugs to keep him alive while his organs were failing.
“He almost died once or twice,” revealed Kohlhof’s concerned brother Greg Kohlhof. “They were worried about him being brain-dead,” he added.
It wasn’t until July 1 that Kohlhof emerged from sedation, only to be informed by doctors that he had contracted typhus, a highly contagious infection transmitted through lice, fleas, or mites.
“He was the victim of a severe and traumatic bite from one single flea — with unimaginable consequences,” stated a GoFundMe page set up by Kohlhof’s family.
To complicate matters further, the vasopressors used to stabilize Kohlhof’s condition had unfavorable consequences for his extremities. He developed dry gangrene, a condition that occurs when blood supply is cut off to tissue, causing it to become dry, shrink, and turn black.
In a drastic measure, surgeons on July 10 were forced to amputate both of Kohlhof’s hands up to his forearms. Additionally, he lost his toes and parts of his feet, although doctors are still uncertain about how much of his feet can be salvaged.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted that typhus is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates, and in the United States, it can occur in regions such as southern California, Hawaii, and Texas.
If left untreated, typhus infection can lead to severe illness and complications in various organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain, as emphasized by the CDC.
This devastating case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with insect bites and the importance of seeking medical attention promptly for any concerning symptoms. Kohlhof’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to aid with his recovery.
The original article was published on Insider.