Breakups can leave emotional scars — but for one woman, the aftermath was far more bizarre and physically painful.
Christine Connell, a travel influencer known for her adventurous lifestyle, has revealed that she suffered from a relentless sinus infection for seven years — and she believes it all started with a disgusting act by her ex-boyfriend during a hotel stay.
In a series of candid TikTok videos, Christine explained that the ordeal began shortly after she underwent ankle surgery. Unable to move and recovering in a hotel room, she found herself at the mercy of her then-boyfriend’s unfortunate bathroom humor.
“He farted terribly while I was immobile in bed,” she recalled. “I couldn’t even breathe because of how bad it smelled.”
At the time, it seemed like just an unpleasant experience. But Christine soon started experiencing persistent symptoms — a blocked nose, facial pain, green mucus, and fevers — that refused to go away. After years of failed treatments and medical confusion, doctors finally identified the unexpected culprit: E. coli bacteria in her sinuses.
“E. coli is from poop,” Christine said. “So how does that get into your sinuses unless you have a boyfriend who farts disgustingly and you’re forced to inhale it because you can’t move?”
The Incident
In a follow-up video, Christine clarified the details. She and her ex were staying in a hotel room with two queen beds. As he changed clothes, he stood between the beds — facing away from her — when he accidentally let one rip.
“That’s when the fart happened,” she said. “And when I say it was the worst fart I’ve ever smelled in my life, I truly mean that.”
Christine doesn’t believe it was done maliciously, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. She suspects her immune system, already preoccupied with healing her ankle, couldn’t fight off the bacteria she unknowingly inhaled.
The Medical Mystery
E. coli is a bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains are harmless, certain types can cause serious infections — including those in the urinary tract, lungs, and, in rare cases, sinuses.
Doctors were baffled at first, unable to determine the cause of her chronic sinusitis. The condition, which affects more than 31 million Americans annually, typically responds to standard treatments like nasal sprays, decongestants, or antibiotics.
But not for Christine.
She underwent multiple scans and tests over the years, but it wasn’t until a culture sample from her nose confirmed the presence of E. coli that things finally made sense.
What’s Next?
Unfortunately, standard medications haven’t resolved the issue. Christine says she’s now preparing for sinus surgery, where doctors will use general anesthesia to remove the infected tissue directly.
“They’re going to physically scrape off the area and wash it to get rid of the bacteria,” she explained.
