Man loses nose due to this rare flu infection; Details inside

Florida, United States: 31-year-old firefighter Brandon Boothby faced an unprecedented challenge when a rare fungal infection forced him to undergo nose removal. His journey began with flu-like symptoms, leading to a diagnosis of severe aplastic anaemia, an extremely rare condition affecting only two individuals per million in the US and the UK.

The Florida resident's battle took a dramatic turn as a potentially fatal fungal infection posed a threat to his life, resulting in surgeries and the loss of his nose.

Starting with flu-like symptoms that left him weak, Brandon's diagnosis of severe aplastic anaemia heightened his vulnerability to infections. Describing the severity to the Sun he revealed, "It's such a severe disease that if someone sneezes around you, you could get a fatal infection."


As the autoimmune disorder wreaked havoc on his immune system, Brandon faced a life-threatening fungal invasion while awaiting a bone marrow donor. The escalating pain and swelling prompted the decision to amputate his nose and part of the eye socket, preventing the infection from reaching his brain.

Post-nose removal, Brandon underwent a critical bone marrow transplant, yet the battle continued with graft-versus-host syndrome, where healthy blood cells attacked his body. Further challenges included malnutrition, eczema-like symptoms, and organ inflammation, bringing him close to having part of his intestine removed.

Despite initial projections of a three-year recovery, Brandon defied the odds. With regular checkups and unwavering commitment, he returned to full-time firefighting duties, now equipped with a prosthetic nose.