In an unforeseen and tragic turn of events, a single flea bite has caused a Texas man to endure a month-long battle with severe health complications, resulting in the loss of several limbs.
Michael Kohlhof, 35, was initially admitted to the hospital under the impression that he had the flu, as described in the family’s GoFundMe post.
Texas Man’s Month-Long Battle with Severe Complications
However, his condition quickly worsened, leading to a transfer to the intensive care unit as his body succumbed to sepsis.
The Kohlhof family received a grim prognosis by the end of June 20, and they were told to prepare for the worst.
But to everyone’s astonishment, Michael emerged from his dire state about a week and a half later.
Doctors then revealed the cause of his sepsis: he had contracted murine typhus as a result of the flea bite, which also led to tissue death in both his hands and feet.
As a consequence of this devastating infection, Michael’s hands had to be amputated up to his forearms, and his feet are still under assessment to determine what parts can be salvaged.
He is currently undergoing numerous surgeries, therapies, and rehabilitation to regain basic functionalities and activities of daily living.
To alleviate the financial burden of extensive medical treatment, Michael’s family established a GoFundMe campaign to support his recovery journey.
“Michael has strength and will be undergoing an excruciating number of surgeries, therapies, and rehabilitation, mostly to restore activities of daily living. But he shouldn’t have to be worried about the financial pain,” his mother, J’Leene Hardaway, wrote on the fundraising page.
While many flea species exist worldwide, only four are known to severely impact human health, as disclosed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Out of the approximately 2,500 flea species, around 300 can be found in the United States.
Murine typhus, the disease Michael contracted from the flea bite, is transmitted to humans by infected animals like rats, cats, or opossums.
The bite typically causes a wound, and since fleas defecate while feeding, their feces can enter the wound, leading to infection.
Alternatively, the disease can be contracted if a person breathes in infected flea feces or rubs it into their eyes.
Symptoms of murine typhus usually emerge within two weeks after initial contact and may include fever, chills, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a rash.
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Murine Typhus Treatment and Transmission
Fortunately, the disease can be treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline, and recovery is usually quick when treatment is initiated promptly.
Murine typhus is not spread from person to person and is more commonly reported in tropical and subtropical climates.
While California, Texas, and Hawaii have recorded cases, the disease is not typically seen in the rest of the US.
Michael’s case serves as a somber reminder of the potential risks associated with flea bites and highlights the importance of timely medical attention and awareness to prevent severe consequences.
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