Infectious Disease Stories
Patients visit our campus every day, seeking our expert care for infectious diseases. Read our patients' stories and learn how you can support our work in infectious disease research and treatment.
Patient Finds Help After Cosmetic Surgery Results in Rare NTM Infection
By the time Gabriella Bonucelli realized something was wrong, she could barely walk. After having two children just ten months apart in 2023, she had decided to give herself a “mommy makeover,” with a full-body liposuction in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, a week after the procedure, her legs felt like they were on fire. Her skin began to erupt with blisters as she experienced overwhelming pain.
Knee Surgery Found Hidden Lung Disease
Cyndi Fonda, of Bozeman, Mont., like many Americans, thought she was just out of shape. A review of Cyndi’s pre-op chest X-ray suggested she could have a non-contagious condition related to tuberculosis called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
Finding Answers at National Jewish Health
What do you do when you are allergic to the very medicine that’s supposed to help you? Where do you turn when years of treatment don’t make you feel better? Meet Caleb, Jerry and Adam, each of whom struggled with life-threatening health issues before finding National Jewish Health. They came here as a last resort, and found doctors and researchers who listened and found answers that changed their lives.