"Drank Contaminated Water at a Friend's House... Lungs Damaged, Now Taking 16 Pills Daily"

Environmental Exposure Leads to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Infection
Also Develops Septic Arthritis... Takes About 16 Pills Daily
"Claims It Was Due to Natural Spring Water Drunk at a Friend's House"

Australian man Chris Capper (33) claimed he was infected with non-tuberculous mycobacteria after drinking water at a friend's house. Source=GoFundMe

A man’s story of developing lung damage and arthritis after casually drinking water at a friend’s house has come to light.

According to British media outlet The Mirror on the 18th (local time), Chris Capper (33), a man living in Australia, developed an infection in one-third of his lungs and septic arthritis after drinking untreated natural spring water. He was diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection and claimed that "the natural spring water he drank at a friend’s house was the cause," although a direct link has not yet been established.

In July 2021, Capper visited a friend’s house located in Mount Elliot, northern Queensland, Australia, and drank natural spring water. However, after drinking the water, he experienced symptoms such as fever, frequent coughing, and easy fatigue. He underwent tests at a nearby hospital but the exact cause could not be identified. Two years later, in July last year, an X-ray revealed a hole in his lung. Six weeks later, he was diagnosed with bacterial infection in one-third of his lung. Moreover, the mycobacteria had spread to his elbow, causing septic arthritis. Currently, bacteria have spread to his left hip, lumbar spine, and even his skin, and he takes 16 pills daily, including antibiotics.

The hospital diagnosed him with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection. They analyzed that "due to underlying conditions such as type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis, his immune system was weakened, making him more vulnerable to bacterial infections." Nontuberculous mycobacteria are bacteria found in water, soil, and dust, and are highly resilient, surviving even chlorine disinfection during water treatment. Infection with NTM typically causes symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, fever, fatigue, and weight loss. It is not transmitted between people but is known to be contracted through environmental exposure. Capper said, "I can’t do anything on my own. Even hospitals don’t know much about this bacteria," and added, "I’m enduring it by taking medicine every day. It feels like I’m just waiting to die."