Michigan Chef, 29, Dies from Rare Fungal Infection That Had ‘Eaten Large Holes’ in His Lungs

A Michigan chef has died after contracting a rare fungal infection that “ate big holes” in his lungs.

Ian Pritchard, a 29-year-old chef from Petoskey, was admitted to the hospital after experiencing flu-like symptoms a week before Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, his condition rapidly deteriorated and he was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where doctors diagnosed him with a rare fungal lung infection called blastomycosis.

Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus called blastomyces, which lives in the environment, especially in moist soil and decaying matter such as wood and leaves, according to the CDC.

People can get blastomycosis after breathing in microscopic fungal spores from the air, the CDC says. Although most people who inhale the spores do not get sick, some people will develop symptoms such as fever and cough, and the infection can sometimes become serious if left untreated.

“It’s in the air, in the trees, in the wet leaves, in the ground, in the mud, everywhere,” Ian’s father, Ron Pritchard, told WPBN. “Everywhere in northern Michigan—in fact, the Midwest—is covered [blastomyces].”

Ron also explained that the infection had “eaten big holes” in his son’s lungs, adding: “They showed us a picture of his lungs, and they literally looked like Swiss cheese.”

Ian Pritchard.

Ian Pritchard/Facebook

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Ian was later put on life support and put into a medically induced coma during treatment. Blastomycosis is usually treated with antifungal medications, and depending on the severity, treatment can last from six months to a year, according to the CDC.

In Ian’s case, healing was a slow process. He was also in a “critical condition” and will not be able to receive a life-saving lung transplant until the infection clears.

While he was in the hospital, longtime friends of the family created a GoFundMe page on their behalf to raise money for his recovery and medical expenses.

According to a Dec. 27 update to the account, Ian was brought out of a medically induced coma, but was still heavily sedated and could only communicate through nonverbal cues. His family said: “Ian is very conscious and very keen to fight for his life.”

Ian Pritchard.

Ian Pritchard/Facebook

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However, Ian passed away on the evening of February 3, just days before his 30th birthday, surrounded by his parents and sister.

“Ron and his family are obviously heartbroken and heartbroken,” the GoFundMe post said. “Ron told me it was Ian’s decision to come off life support. Today he was quite cautious and showed them that he was ready to go. The young man had been in the hospital since the week before Thanksgiving…over 11 weeks ago if you recall. The blastomycosis fungal infection had irreversibly ravaged Ian’s lungs.”

There is no vaccine to prevent blastomycosis, and the CDC says it may not be possible to completely avoid exposure to the fungus that causes the infection, especially in areas where it is common.

People who have weakened immune systems should consider avoiding activities that involve soil disturbance in these areas, according to the CDC.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education