DOCTORS were shocked to discover a tick bite left a man with killer medieval disease.
Michael Kohlhof, 35, was taken to hospital in Texas, US in June after developing flu-like symptoms, including an upset stomach and a fever.
GofundmeA Texas man lost both his hands and all of his toes after contracting typhus from a single flea bite[/caption]
Just hours later, the handyman’s condition had rapidly deteriorated and he was rushed to intensive care.
By the next day, Michael’s organs had begun to fail as he went into septic shock – a deadly condition is the body’s overreaction to an infection.
“He almost died once or twice,” his brother Greg Kohlhof told KENS 5 News.
But doctors managed to keep him alive by hooking him up to a ventilator, dialysis, and a cocktail of drugs including antibiotics and beta-blockers.
“They were worried about him being brain dead,” his brother added.
In the weeks that followed, Michael toes, an inch of his feet and his hands up to his forearms were amputated because of gangrene – a complication of sepsis which causes tissue to die.
Doctors discovered he cause of his condition was typhus, an infection spread by lice, fleas, or mites.
“He was the victim of a severe and traumatic bite from one single flea — with unimaginable consequences,” the GoFundMe page said.
As of August 1, the website had raised $109,154 (£85,521).
Michael did not show any abnormal symptoms in the weeks leading up to his diagnosis, although he felt tired.
Symptoms of typhus include fever and chills, body aches and muscle pain, loss of appetite, and vomiting, according to the Centre for Disease Control.
If left untreated, it can cause severe illness and damage to one or more organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain.
What is Typhus?
Typhus is an infection spread by lice, fleas or mites
These are often found on small animals like mice, rats, cats and squirrels.
People can also carry them on their clothes, skin or hair.
It’s found in many countries, but is very rare in the UK.
It can be serious, but most people make a full recovery if treated quickly.
There’s no vaccine to prevent typhus, but you can reduce the risk of getting infected by wearing insect spray and long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
Washing and showering regularly also helps, as does changing your clothes regularly.
Source: NHS