Josh Neuendorf is fighting for his life after the flu turned out to be something much worse
A young father-of-three is fighting for his life after coming down with the flu less than a month ago.
Josh Neuendorf, 28, was taken to hospital with a high fever, diagnosed with influenza and given antibiotics before being discharged after 24 hours.
But his condition deteriorated suddenly when he returned home, and a rash broke out over most of his body.
Family friend Sheryl Nagel told The Sunshine Coast Daily that he could barely breathe when he was rushed back to the doctor and then to hospital.
Mr Neuendorf was put on a drip, but had to be rushed to intensive care after he ‘crashed’ in the middle of the night.
After being put in an induced medical coma, doctors discovered that he had a torn windpipe as a result of an undiagnosed bacterial streptococcal infection.
Josh Neuendorf with partner Shanna Redfern before the young father’s life changed forever
Ms Nagel told the publication that an abscess was found in his neck and his lungs were filled with fluid.
In a nightmare turn of events, an operation to remove the abscess and drain the fluid resulted in a punctured lung.
‘Unfortunately he suffered toxic shock syndrome, where all of his organs shut down,’ she said, adding that he was airlifted to a Brisbane hospital for further surgery.
Josh Neuendorf with partner Shanna Redfern on their second anniversary in September 2014
Mr Neuendorf’s heart was found to be drastically weakened, and a large amount of fluid was found around his brain.
The formerly healthy 28-year-old construction worker must now learn to walk, read, write, eat and talk again.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help support his young family, as Mr Neuendorf has suffered long-lasting heart damage that has rendered him unable to work for ‘a unknown amount of time’.
Josh Neuendorf is a devoted loving dad, beautiful partner, great friend, and a hard worker”
‘He is a devoted loving dad, beautiful partner, great friend, and a hard worker,’ the page reads.
‘Josh was the sole provider for his family and in casual employment there is now no income coming in for his young family.
[Donations] will help Josh and his family just focus on getting him better, without all the stress and worry about not being able to provide for [them].’