What serious illness did Blondie guitarist Chris Stein contract in the 1980's?

What serious illness did Blondie guitarist Chris Stein contract in the 1980s? He contracted pemphigus vulgaris, a rare autoimmune disease that causes painful blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.

Stein was diagnosed in 1983, during a difficult period for Blondie. The illness became severe enough to require hospitalization and dramatically interrupted his musical career. His partner and Blondie bandmate Debbie Harry helped care for him during his recovery.

Pemphigus vulgaris occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks proteins that hold skin cells together. The resulting blisters can spread and become vulnerable to infection. It is not contagious, despite the alarming appearance of the condition.

Stein eventually regained control of the disease with medical treatment, including steroids. Blondie later reunited, and Stein continued working as the band’s guitarist, songwriter, and producer. The illness is sometimes loosely described as a genetic disease, but pemphigus vulgaris is more accurately classified as an autoimmune disorder.